Staff Correspondent
Media professionals and policy stakeholders on Thursday called for strengthening journalists’ capacity, bringing online news portals under a regulatory framework, and introducing digital literacy programmes to combat the growing spread of misinformation and hate speech in Bangladesh’s digital media landscape.
The recommendations came during a discussion organised by Bangladesh Forward in Banani, Dhaka, on Thursday. The event was held in partnership with the Strategy & Policy Forum (SPF) and sponsored by Vision Holidays.
Participants proposed a 10-point action plan that includes regular training on fact-checking, information verification and digital journalism for journalists at the district and upazila levels; bringing online news portals under a clear registration and regulatory framework; introducing minimum professional standards and accreditation for journalists; establishing press wings in public and private institutions to ensure timely dissemination of official information; and strengthening coordination with social media platforms to curb fake accounts and pages.
The recommendations also call for a national platform involving the government, media, educational institutions and civil society to counter misinformation, stronger support for fact-checking initiatives, stricter action against organised misinformation networks and fraudulent online portals, and the introduction of digital literacy programmes at schools, colleges and universities.
Speakers said implementing the recommendations would help build a more responsible, evidence-based media ecosystem and foster a safer online environment.
Among those present were Fazly Rabbi Khan, adviser to Bangladesh Forward and information technology coordinator to Chief Adviser’s Adviser Mahdi Amin; Asif Hossain Rachi, director of SPF and joint general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal; Monirul Haque Jony, former general secretary of Patuakhali Science and Technology University Chhatra Dal; Murtoza Khan Lodi, director of Bangladesh Forward; Md Mizanur Rahman, secretary of the BNP Analysis Cell; Masiur Rahman Shafi, former member of the BNP Media Cell; Nazmul Islam Konok, CEO of Replemind; Mehedi Islam of Kaler Kantho; Sakib Ahmed, Jahangirnagar University correspondent for The Daily Star; Arifur Rahman Sadi, Jahangirnagar University correspondent for bdnews24.com; and others.
