The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has no direct jurisdiction to take legal action against the dissemination of misleading information on social media abroad. This information was given by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat. He said that there is a fact checking committee under the Directorate of Information. Besides, the government is working continuously to prevent rumors and misleading propaganda against the country at home and abroad.
He said that while responding to the questions of ruling party MP Chayan Islam in the question-and-answer session of the National Parliament on Thursday, February 8.
The state minister said that there is an opportunity to take action in the current law if there is any slanderous or subversive activity within the country. But the system to prevent disinformation on social media on foreign soil is still not developed (i.e., the ability to take measures). But the government is very careful about this. Countering disinformation using information technology can be countered through information technology. Efforts will soon be taken to stop slander through proper application of technology.
In response to Chayan Islam’s supplementary question, Mohammad Ali Arafat said that, not only Bangladesh, but the whole world is very worried about misinformation and rumours. The World Economic Forum meeting identified misinformation and disinformation as the number one issue of the future. We ourselves have been affected for the past 15 years. I have talked about it with the participants since taking charge of the ministry. If the country is made free of lies and rumours, there will be no place for anti-liberation war evil forces in the country.
In response to a supplementary question by Independent Member of Parliament Syed Syedul Haque on the fake Facebook ID in the name of Bangabandhu’s family, the state minister said that the matter is under the government’s attention. Maybe these IDs are posting positively. But we can’t say whether it will always give positive posts. So, it is very important to know from which source they are opened. It is also provided that no such account can be opened without permission. The Ministry of Information does not have the capacity to stop them. We will look at them on a priority basis. We will work out a solution for this in coordination with Home Affairs, Law and ICT departments.
