Ensuring correct information by preventing misinformation is a big challenge: Information Minister
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Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that the main prerequisite for free flow of information is correct and objective information. As freedom of information is our desire, ensuring ‘clean information’ or correct information by preventing misinformation is the biggest challenge for the society and the state. Digital hazards and disinformation have now become a global crisis.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar organized at North South University (NSU) on the occasion of ‘World Free Media Day 2026’.
The event was organized by the University’s Department of Media, Communication and Journalism (MCJ).
The information minister said that free flow of information is like oxygen for civilization. Just as humans cannot survive without oxygen, a state or society cannot survive without proper information. Misinformation poisons society.
Highlighting the challenges of the current digital age, the minister said that today there is no lack of information, but there is a lack of correct information. Digital hazards and disinformation have now become a global crisis. To deal with this, solutions should be found not only through legislation, but also through creative knowledge and scientific approach.
Pointing out that there is a great lack of accountability in our political and social culture, Zahir Uddin Swapan said, “A better regulatory system is needed to free the flow of information as well as maintain its cleanliness.” The government is not an authoritarian ruler but a servicing manager who wants to ensure proper flow of information.’
The Information Minister said that the government is working on creating a sustainable roadmap to ensure correct information and free media environment. As a part of this, the minister informed about the initiative to build a ‘resourceful network’ with journalism departments, teachers and students of different universities of the country.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Aziz Al Qaiser, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University, Aziz Al Qaiser, President of the Newspaper Owners Association (Nawab) and Editor of Daily Manabzamin, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, General Secretary of the Editorial Board and Editor of Daily Banik Barta, Dewan Hanif Mahmud and Bangladesh representative of UNESCO, Susan Vaiz, spoke in the event under the chairmanship of North South University Vice-Chancellor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury.
In the seminar, Nawab President Matiur Rahman Chowdhury said that there is currently an instability in the field of journalism. On the one hand, mainstream journalism is facing various challenges, on the other hand, misinformation spread through social media and ‘photo cards’ is creating confusion in the public mind. “At the end of the day, it is the mainstream media that is suffering as a result of this unequal competition and disinformation,” he warned.
Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of NSU gave a welcome speech at the seminar. Rizwanul Islam. MCJ Department Chairman Associate Professor ASM Rezwan-ul-Alam presented the keynote address. The chief executive of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication AHM Bazlur Rahman was the scheduled speaker of the event.
In the seminar organized on the occasion of World Free Media Day 2026, the teachers and students of the university took part and highlighted various challenges and proposals of journalism in the country.
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