National-level seminar on combating digital disinformation challenges for strengthening democratic practices in the election process and promoting peace and harmony held

Digital disinformation is now spreading in the social media causing division, dissatisfaction, violence, torture and affecting the unity and solidarity in the society. Considering the situation IED has undertaken a project Strengthening Traditional Civil Society to Combat Digital Disinformation in Bangladesh with the support and cooperation from The Asia Foundation, Bangladesh.

For creating high sensitization among the civil society members, academicians, government officials, journalists, women leaders, youths, students IED organized a national level seminar on combating digital disinformation and challenges for strengthening democratic practices in the election process and promoting peace and harmony at CIRDAP auditorium, Dhaka on February 15, 2023.

Mr. Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, honorable State Minister of Shipping, Government of Bangladesh was the chief guest and Mr. Tanveer Shakeel Joy, Member of Parliament was special guest in the workshop. Former MP, Government officials, IT experts, Academicians, Journalists, Professionals, Lawyers, Youth, Students, TCS members and Development activists also attended in the workshop. Total no. of participants was 71.

The honorable State Minister of Shipping mentioned strongly in his speech that those who spread rumors and disinformation, they are not society loving people, they have no participation in building the better society and they have bad motives. He also said, there are different types of groups of people who try to make unrest situation by spreading rumor, disinformation and fake news to create fear. They must be resisted. Rumors were also spread during the liberation war. But no one could stop our victory. Bangladesh will move forward, the victory of the pro-liberation forces in the elections cannot be prevented. He added that there are ideologies in the society. We would keep it up.

Mr. Tanveer Shakeel Joy, Member of Parliament said that media role is very important for combat digital disinformation. Headlines should be given that would be authentic and realistic. He also added that more meetings/seminars/workshops are to be organized covering more people, so that we will be protected from disinformation and rumors.

Mr. Kazi Faisal Bin Siraz, Country Representative, The Asia Foundation (TAF) mentioned in his speech that IED has brought the right issue at right time. We are working with IED for long time through providing support, experiences and cooperation. IED is implementing the project with high importance. It has involved 880 youth to act as sensitive citizen to combat digital disinformation in the local areas. These youth have sensitized other people of the community, government officials, civil society members and media.

At the beginning of workshop Jyoti Chattopadhayay, Coordinator, IED welcomed all and presented the objectives of the workshop and project. Dr. Shantanu Majumder, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Dhaka, made a presentation highlighting project goal and training activities. He said that by spreading gossip, rumors and misinformation are damaging democracy. In election period political parties, people and voters face confusing adverse situation with the bad effects of rumor and slander. The civil society members, professionals and the youths should be careful about this.

During his presentation he mentioned that ‘The most prioritized target audience of disinformation is the youth. It is important for us to make sure they are able to distinguish the difference of the authentic and the fake information. He also emphasized the need for learning to discern for identifying genuine information.

The participants strongly expressed that the youth of Bangladesh need to identify disinformation and fake news which have become prevalent in the society recently obstructing the free flow of necessary quality information.

Mr. Nazmul Haque Pradhan, Former MP; MD. Zakaria, senior program Manager, The Asia Foundation, Bangladesh; Dr. Mushtak Hossain, Advisor of IEDCR and former General Secretary of DUCSU; Masum Billah, Secretary General of Bangladeshi Journalists Association of Indian Media (IMCAB); Dr Fatema Yasmin, Disaster Management Department of Dhaka University; Rebecca Sultana, Program Officer of UNDP; Nazmul Ahsan, Manager, Action Aid; Shahana Akhtar, Assistant Director of Women Affairs Department; Alkama Azad, General Secretary of Jahangirnagar University Journalists Association; Tania Mustari, student of Dhaka University; Jeevesh Kundu, general secretary of Jagannath Hall Debating Society; Akter Hossain, general secretary of DUJ; Sanjay Dey, Head of News of NewsBangla24.com; Mridha Md. Shiblee Noman, assistant professor of Journalism and Media Studies department, Jahangirnagar University; Amir Muhammad Jewel, former joint general secretary of Crime Reporters Association, Bangladesh (CRAB) and KM Shahiduzzaman, City Social welfare Officer also spoke in the meeting expressing their high commitment to work on combating digital disinformation.

IED Executive Director Numan Ahmed Khan presided over the workshop and Tarique Hossain coordinator, IED conducted the session.

The outcome of campaign are as follows:

1. The seminar participants realized that digital disinformation is a burning issue that need to be addressed immediately for strengthening harmony, peace and social cohesion.
2. Youth, traditional civil society members and media can play instrumental role in the fight against disinformation online and offline continuous for greater common goods.