In tackling online rumours, DCs call for coordinated initiative

The State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Arafat said that only professional and registered online portals will remain and continue functioning for the sake of accountability and discipline. On the other hand, information and broadcasting and telecommunication and information technology will work together to prevent rumours, misinformation, cyber bullying and cyber-crime through social media.

The state minister notified the matter while responding to questions from reporters after the third working session of the third day of the DC conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday, March 5. Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman and the State Minister for Telecommunication and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain and others were present.

In establishing good governance and development, the expectations of the District Administrators from the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and vice versa were discussed in the conference. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioners wanted to know about their actions to prevent rumours, propaganda, cyber bullying and cyber-crime through social media. In response, Minister of State for Telecommunication and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak suggested working on 4 strategic issues. These are – creating awareness about digital literacy and AI literacy; ensuring optimal use of technology; Strict enforcement of existing laws and coordination with academia, media and private sector.

Also, when the District Administrators called for the establishment of cells at the district level for training and technical development, Palak assured about the establishment of 'ICT Cell' by BTCL and ICT Division at the divisional and district levels.

He said, to stop all kinds of rumours, misinformation, cyber-crimes and online gambling; you are urged to inform us about the issues through conducting regular meetings of ICT and law enforcement committees at the district and Upazila levels.

Only the professional and registered portals will operate

At the end of the conference, in response to the question whether DCs have given any recommendations or instructions to control rumors, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Arafat said, they are very worried about rumours, everyone has it. We talked about resistance.

The state minister said, 'Look at the rumors that are spreading through the internet, I can't stop it alone. We have here the Minister of State for Telecommunication and Information Technology. We also need to work together. We are also working on them.'

In response to the question that the DCs can play a role in stopping rumours, he also said, 'They are associated with the grassroot people. You can send us information. They can take action on what is happening at the marginal level and there are other things in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. For example, cable operators who offer a lot of their content, reach audiences. Whether the contents here are actually correct or not, the things that are in the clean field, whether they are being applied properly or not; we said them for looking into all these matters.'

In response to another question, State Minister Arafat said, there are many unregistered portals online, which are spreading various kinds of rumours. We are streamlining those; we have a plan. Only those who are professional and registered will remain and operate. So that there is accountability and discipline in everything. What you (journalists) wanted, you demanded at different times.