Hasan Mahmud discussed about tackling rumors on social media with the UK Media Minister

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Dr. Hasan Mahmud held a productive meeting with Sir John Whittingdale, Minister of State for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries of the United Kingdom, to prevent rumors and misinformation through social media.

The information minister, who is attending the two-day Parliamentary Security Intelligence Forum (PSIF) conference with members of parliament from different countries in London, met at the office of the minister for media affairs, Sir John Whittingdale, on Wednesday afternoon.

At the meeting, John Whittingdale outlined the UK's approach to combating rumors and disinformation through social media. He said that the United Kingdom Parliament passed a law last May where it is said that social media service providers must be registered in that country.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud highlighted Bangladesh's perspective at this time and said that although Bangladesh does not yet have this law, social media platforms have been called to be registered. But so far they have not registered despite repeated calls to register, which is a major hurdle in countering the spread of fake news and rumors through social media.

At this time, the two ministers discussed about increasing the media and cultural communication between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom, tackling the challenges of new media and further advancing the multi-dimensional relations between the two countries.

This afternoon, the minister held a meeting with Lord Rami Ranger, chief patron of 'Conservative Friends of India' at the Carlton Club in London to discuss various issues related to the mutual interests of Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. Saida Muna Tasnim, High Commissioner of Bangladesh appointed to UK, attended the meeting.