Protection from disinformation is equally important to ensure right to information: Information Minister

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Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that one of the priorities of the current government is to ensure people’s right to information.

He said, however, along with the free flow of information, it is equally important to protect the public by preventing the spread of misinformation and misinformation.

He said these things in the chief guest’s speech at an exchange meeting with the members of the core group of ‘Right to Information Forum’ in the meeting room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Secretariat on Sunday (April 12) morning. 

At that time, the Information Minister said that there are specific reasons behind the suspension of the Right to Information Act Amendment Ordinance in the National Parliament.

He said that due to the free flow of information, disinformation is also increasing. Therefore, besides ensuring the information, we also need to look at its responsible use.

Commenting that it is not enough to increase the flow of information, the Minister said that an effective law will be formulated with the opinions and recommendations of experienced people related to the Right to Information Act.

Zahir Uddin Swapan expects constructive recommendations from the participants for the purpose of amending the Right to Information Act. He also emphasized on the process of ‘fact checking’ and ‘screening’ of information.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury was the special guest in the meeting.

The executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) spoke among others. Iftekharuzzaman, Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN) Editor Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder, Information Secretary Mahbooba Farzana and MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman.

Speakers at the meeting outlined various reform proposals to enhance the effectiveness of the Right to Information Act and ensure free flow of information.