Timely Legal Reforms Essential in the AI Era: Information Minister

nformation and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that Bangladesh needs timely legal reforms to address the new realities created by the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. He called on legal experts, researchers and law reporters to support the formulation of effective and future-ready legislation.

He made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing the Annual General Meeting 2026 and Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Law Reporters Forum at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium in Dhaka.

The event was chaired by Hasan Javed, President of the Law Reporters Forum, and moderated by its General Secretary Moniruzzaman Mission. Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kajal attended the programme as the special guest.

The minister said the media serves as a mirror of the state and society, adding that objective and responsible journalism enables citizens to make informed decisions. He noted that legal journalists play a particularly important role in strengthening public confidence in the judiciary.

Swapan said technological progress has made life easier but has also introduced new legal and ethical challenges. AI-generated images, videos and information have raised global concerns over authenticity and legal accountability, making it essential to modernize existing laws.

He said legal reforms have not kept pace with the rapid transformation of society. Addressing this gap, he added, requires close collaboration among lawyers, judges, researchers and legal affairs journalists.

The minister also revealed that the government has already begun work on reforming the country's Cyber Law. He said he is serving as a member of the Cabinet Committee formed to oversee the process, which aims to develop a modern, practical and effective legal framework.

According to the minister, the government will soon seek recommendations from legal experts and professional bodies, including the Law Reporters Forum, to ensure that future legislation reflects technological advancements and remains practical for implementation.

He also urged the Law Reporters Forum to use its annual gathering not only for organizational matters but also as a platform to discuss the future of law and justice in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Quoting a well-known principle, the minister said, "Without data, any information is nothing but opinion." He stressed that distinguishing facts from opinions, assumptions and misinformation is one of the media's primary responsibilities, particularly in legal journalism.

He expressed hope that the Law Reporters Forum would continue to play a significant role in developing a people-centric and technology-responsive legal framework for Bangladesh.

Among others, Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim, Barrister Shishir Monir, former Law Reporters Forum President Saleh Uddin, senior lawyers and media professionals also spoke at the event.

//DBTech/IHI/EK//