Dhaka — Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said that preventing the spread of misinformation is equally important as ensuring the people’s right to information.
“Apart from ensuring the free flow of information, it is equally important to protect the people by preventing the spread of misinformation and disinformation,” the minister said on Sunday.
He made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting with members of the Right to Information Forum in Dhaka.
There were specific reasons behind the suspension of the Right to Information (Amendment) Ordinance in parliament, he said, in reference to the interim administration’s amendments to the right-to-information law.
The minister said the spread of misinformation has increased alongside the free flow of information. “So, in addition to ensuring the flow of information, we must also seriously consider the issue of its accountability,” he added.
He noted that it would not be sufficient only to expand access to information, stressing that an effective law would be formulated by taking into account the opinions and recommendations of experienced stakeholders in the Right to Information Act.
“The more information, the more truth — for this reason, it is very important to ensure the free flow of information. To this end, we also have to decide how to protect the institutional character of the Information Commission,” he said.
The minister sought constructive recommendations from participants for amending the Right to Information Act and emphasized the need for fact-checking and screening of information.
He assured the concerned authorities would involve all stakeholders in the law-making process.
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yeaser Khan Choudhury attended the meeting as a special guest.
Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh Iftekharuzzaman, Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder, Information Secretary Mahbuba Farjana, and MRDI Executive Director Hasibur Rahman Mukur also spoke, among others.
They presented various reform proposals aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the Right to Information Act and ensuring the free flow of information.
