Experts call for stronger action on information integrity

Experts on Tuesday said at a high-level dialogue in the capital that strengthening access to credible information, building public trust and protecting people from the growing harms of misinformation and manipulated content are essential to maintaining social cohesion and inclusive democratic participation.

The “Dialogue on Information Integrity and Social Cohesion in Bangladesh: Policy, Platform Accountability and Collective Action,” organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and supported by GIZ, brought together government representatives, media professionals, technology platforms, civil society, fact-checkers, development partners and other stakeholders to identify practical responses to emerging challenges in Bangladesh’s information environment, said a press release.

Speaking as Chief Guest at the inaugural session, Faqir Mahbub Anam, member of parliament and minister at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and the ICT Division, emphasised that information integrity is closely connected to trust, participation and social harmony.

“Information integrity is about ensuring that people have access to accurate, reliable, and trustworthy information, so they can make informed decisions, participate meaningfully in society, and engage constructively with one another,” he said, calling for collaboration among government, media, digital platforms, civil society, academia, youth and development partners.

Stephen Rodriques, resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh, highlighted the need to translate discussions on information integrity into concrete and coordinated action. “Let us use today’s discussion to move from analysis to action. We need greater clarity on who needs to act, what pathways are needed, and how we can respond more quickly when people or communities are at risk.”

He also said, “information integrity is not simply about protecting the information environment, it is about protecting people, strengthening trust, and preserving the space for peaceful and inclusive public life.”

Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, highlighted the growing responsibility of professional journalism and citizens in an information environment transformed by social media and artificial intelligence.

“The more freedom you get, the more responsibility comes on your shoulder,” he said, stressing the importance of verification, credible journalism and the growing role of professional fact-checkers.

The dialogue featured three thematic discussions on policy and institutional frameworks for information integrity, digital safety and security, and collective action for social cohesion and narrative resilience.

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Across the sessions, participants highlighted the need for stronger institutional coordination, platform accountability, media literacy, early-warning mechanisms and rights-based responses to harmful online narratives, while stressing that addressing disinformation requires not only technological solutions but also responsible platforms, credible and independent media, public awareness, institutional trust and collective action.

In the closing session, recommendations from the day were presented to help shape future policy and collaboration. Member of Parliament and Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon was the chief guest in the closing session.

During his remarks, he said, “We cannot ignore the technological wave; we must engage with it actively. The government is ready to work with UNDP and other partners to strengthen public trust, build stronger institutions and develop adaptive safeguards that protect citizens in a rapidly evolving information environment. The time is now to move from dialogue to action.”

“Information integrity is essential to building trust and social cohesion. We now need coordinated action to protect people and create a safer, more inclusive information environment,” said Sonali Dayaratne, deputy resident representative at UNDP Bangladesh.

Among others, Alexander Falck-Bilden, deputy head of mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Susan Vize, UNESCO representative to Bangladesh, Sheela Tasneem Haq, UNDP, Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj, country representative of The Asia Foundation also spoke.

The discussions will inform a policy brief with key recommendations and help strengthen collaboration towards a more resilient and trustworthy information ecosystem in Bangladesh.