TDS Desk:

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has called for an effective roadmap with technical assistance from UNESCO to address the growing challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation.

He expressed his interest in utilizing the organization’s global knowledge and expertise in this regard.

Minister Zahir made the call when UNESCO Country Representative to Bangladesh Dr Susan Vize paid a courtesy visit to him at the secretariat on Wednesday morning.

Dr Vize briefed the minister on UNESCO’s ongoing activities in Bangladesh, highlighting the organization’s efforts in strengthening media development and policy frameworks, as well as its global initiatives to combat misinformation and disinformation, which have emerged as major concerns worldwide.

She said UNESCO is giving special emphasis on fact-checking as a key tool to counter false narratives. As part of this initiative, students from different universities in Bangladesh are being trained in information verification techniques.

Welcoming the initiative, the minister said there is significant scope to expand cooperation between the Government of Bangladesh and UNESCO in the media sector.

He also underscored the need to utilize UNESCO’s expertise to ensure greater transparency and credibility of information in the digital age.

The UNESCO representative assured full support in this regard.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yeaser Khan Choudhury and Secretary Mahbuba Farjana were also present at the meeting.