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In an effort to tackle the growing concerns surrounding fake news in Bangladesh, the Centre for Governance Studies in collaboration with the US Department of State organised a dialogue titled Confronting Misinformation in Bangladesh.

The event was held in Chattogram on Wednesday, said a press release issued by the CGS, a think tank based in Bangladesh conducting research and media studies on issues of good governance, corruption, human rights, democracy and development. 

The dialogue was part of a series of sessions aimed at understanding how misinformation is produced and re-circulated in Bangladesh.

Speakers, including Channel i chief news editor Zahid Newaz Khan and fact-check editor at Agence France-Presse Qadaruddin Shishir, stressed the need for accurate and diverse information to reach everyone, especially minorities. 

The speakers agreed that preventing the spread of fake news and misinformation is crucial to ensuring trustworthy journalism and upholding democracy.

CGS executive director Zillur Rahman, who moderated the discussion, said that journalists can play a key role in minimising this issue along with the fact-checker. 

After the roundtable discussion, participants took part in a survey and a focus group discussion to provide more in-depth information and their perspectives on fake news.

The data collected during these dialogues will be used to enhance the capacity of journalists and encourage social media influencers in Bangladesh to effectively counter misinformation, particularly during election periods.

News Courtesy:

https://www.newagebd.net/article/196957/preventing-misinformation-must-for-democracy-discussion