Discussion held on content creators’ role in checking tech-based sexual abuse

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), in collaboration with SETU, organised an orientation session in Kushtia on Wednesday with the aim to encourage content creators to campaign against tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).

A total of 31 content creators from various social media platforms participated in the session.

The objective of the orientation meeting was to inform district-level content creators about technology-facilitated gender-based violence and digital development advocacy, encourage them to produce content addressing TFGBV prevention and mitigation alongside their regular content, and inspire them to uphold ethical standards and codes of conduct in their work as responsible digital creators.

The event was organised under BNNRC’s project titled “Strengthening Resilience Against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) and Promoting Digital Development,” implemented under the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) program. The GFA Consulting Group is providing technical assistance and is funded by Switzerland, Global Affairs Canada, and the European Union.

The session began with a welcome address by Nazmun Nahar, Coordinator of SETU. She highlighted the crucial role of content creators in shaping public discourse and emphasised their responsibility in addressing serious social issues such as TFGBV.

Hiren Pandit, program coordinator of BNNRC, delivered a detailed presentation on the concept, forms, negative impacts, and responsibilities related to Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence and digital development. He shared relevant statistics and discussed the severity of the issue, including the local context of TFGBV in Kushtia, which was further elaborated by Sanjay Kumar Biswas, Senior IT Manager, SETU.

The session also included discussions on ethical standards and appropriate conduct for digital content creators. During the open discussion segment, participants actively shared their perspectives on how they could contribute to TFGBV prevention and mitigation through their content. They expressed their commitment to raising awareness about the types, prevention strategies, mitigation measures, and necessary actions to combat TFGBV.

Participants also discussed the collective responsibilities of various stakeholders in preventing and addressing TFGBV. They pledged to create responsible content and to proactively work at various levels to support digital safety initiatives. Furthermore, they expressed their determination to disseminate the knowledge gained during the session to a wider audience, including family members, friends, and colleagues.

Speakers and participants emphasised the importance of increasing public awareness regarding digital development and TFGBV. The session also highlighted the government’s effective initiative, the “Police Cyber Support for Women” helpline (01320000888) and email ([email protected]), as an important resource for victims seeking assistance.

At the meeting, the distinguished guests emphasised the importance of nurturing responsible and popular content creators. They observed that many creators tend to focus more on attractive thumbnails and sensational topics rather than producing quality content. They stressed the need to address this issue. All participants were encouraged to create content that is more decent, responsible, and capable of generating a positive impact on society.

Professor Dr Paresh Chandra Barman of the ICT Department at Islamic University stated that people today are becoming emotionally desensitised. He explained that at the same time, individuals post joyful comments on happy news and express sympathy on tragic events on Facebook, often switching instantly between contrasting emotions. Since platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and other media are interconnected, content creators must remain mindful of their influence.

Technology can also be used to spread hatred and incite violence within society. Therefore, everyone must remain cautious. Content creators, in particular, must be alert, responsible, and skilled. They cannot afford to be inexperienced in using technology. They must uphold ethical standards in content production, gather sufficient and reliable data, ensure information is universally relevant, and publish it responsibly.

Abdul Latif Sheikh, deputy director of the District Social Services Department, Kushtia, stated that content creators are an important segment of society. However, they need to enhance their technological knowledge. He encouraged them to highlight positive aspects of society. He also mentioned issues faced by beneficiaries, such as elderly and widow allowance recipients who receive payments through bKash. Fraudsters often steal PIN codes and withdraw funds unlawfully. Raising awareness about such issues through content creation would significantly increase public awareness.

He further added that content creators play a highly significant role in contemporary society. Acknowledging their social acceptance and influence in message creation and dissemination, he urged all present to ensure that their content does not harm anyone or spread hatred. He also emphasised that if others create harmful content, guiding them peacefully toward the right direction is also an important responsibility.

At the conclusion of the awareness meeting organised for content creators in Kushtia district, all participants received certificates and pledged to contribute significantly through their content to promote digital development and prevent Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in the future.