Bangladesh’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon emphasized the importance of credible communication, strong democratic institutions, and an independent media to ensure stability in a changing global order. He made the remarks on Friday at the International Strategic Communication Summit (STRATCOM) 2026 held in Istanbul, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other senior officials delivered opening speeches.

During a panel titled “New Global Structure: A Communication Perspective,” Swapon thanked the Turkish government for hosting the event and said such initiatives are vital amid global power shifts and the spread of misinformation. He highlighted that strategic communication has become a central element of governance and that states are increasingly judged by the credibility and consistency of their communication.

Swapon outlined Bangladesh’s ongoing reforms to strengthen democratic institutions, ensure media freedom, and review restrictive laws. He called for a balanced institutional approach to counter misinformation and proposed three guiding principles for strategic communication: credibility, democratic tolerance, and global cooperation.