Digital Security Now More Critical Than Border Security: Information Minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, MP has emphasized that digital security has now surpassed conventional border security in terms of critical importance in today's rapidly evolving world. He noted that as societies continue to transform into knowledge and technology-driven ecosystems, ensuring robust digital security has become a paramount national priority, with the government actively taking necessary initiatives to address emerging technological challenges.

The Information Minister made these remarks on Saturday while addressing a high-level roundtable titled "Combating Fake News in Bangladesh: Policy, Technology, and Accountability". The event was organized by the Nationalist ICT Forum (NICTF) at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in Dhaka.

Government Demands Actionable Policy Proposals

Highlighting the growing threat of misinformation, Swapon observed that while Bangladesh has been discussing the implications of fake news and disinformation for years, the time has now come to move beyond merely identifying problems and focus entirely on implementing practical, real-world solutions.

The Minister welcomed critical discussions on these digital challenges but emphasized that the administration expects stakeholders to present realistic, structured policy recommendations. He assured that if effective and actionable solutions are proposed for these national challenges, the government will work swiftly to execute and implement them.

The core keynote paper of the roundtable was presented by Imtiaz Mirza, Vice President of NICTF. The seminar, moderated by Smart-Lab CEO Riyad Hasnain, featured a diverse panel of media and technology experts who stressed the immediate need for stronger institutional and legal measures to combat the spread of misinformation.

Fact-Checking Deficit and the Commercialization of Rumors

Participating in the panel discussion, Abbas Uddin Noyon, Chief Reporter of The Business Standard, observed that only a handful of mainstream media organizations in Bangladesh currently maintain dedicated, active fact-checking teams. To combat this structural deficit, he strongly recommended making independent fact-checking units legally mandatory for all news organizations across the country, ensuring responsible journalism through rigorous verification protocols before any news is cleared for publication.

Echoing these concerns, Rakib Hasan, Editor and Host of Ekattor TV's "Fake News Scanner," warned that misinformation, rumors, and disinformation have rapidly evolved beyond a basic social problem into a highly profitable commercial enterprise. According to his analysis, organized syndicates intentionally manufacture misleading narratives and spread toxic rumors solely to increase their social media follower counts, subsequently monetizing those digital platforms for substantial financial gain.

The roundtable session was chaired by Rafel Kabir, President of NICTF. A galaxy of distinguished guests attended the event, including A K M Wahiduzzaman, Information, Communication & Technology Affairs Secretary of BNP; Engr Md Reazul Islam, Chairman of RAJUK and President of IEB; Engr Shahrin Islam Tuhin, Former MP and Convener of AEB; Dr. Shah J. Mia, Professor of Business Analytics and Applied AI at the Newcastle Business School, Australia; and Dr. Maruf Mallik, Adviser to NICTF; along with numerous representatives from the media, IT sector, and policymaking institutions.