Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called for a draft of a National Action Plan, or e-Safety Plan, to address fake news, misinformation, disinformation, and growing digital risks. He made the call on Saturday at a roundtable titled “Policy, Technology and Accountability in Combating Fake News in Bangladesh,” organized by the Nationalist ICT Forum at the Engineers Institution in Dhaka.

The minister emphasized that policymakers must first enhance their knowledge and capacity to tackle misinformation challenges effectively. He said that proper policy formulation, a strong regulatory framework, and technology-based implementation structures are essential for managing these issues. Highlighting the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, he noted its potential long-term impacts on civilization, the economy, and employment, urging balanced consideration of both its benefits and risks.

Swapan added that digital infrastructure and data security have become strategic priorities globally and called for strengthening both digital capacity and protection frameworks. He expressed hope that the proposed plan would help build a safe, technologically capable, and inclusive Bangladesh.