In a decisive move to curb the proliferation of digital misconduct, the government is establishing a specialized panel of expert lawyers tasked with combating disinformation, cyberbullying, and defamatory content on social media platforms. Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman, speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat on 21 July, emphasized that the escalation of false propaganda and online harassment necessitates a robust institutional response. He confirmed that the structural formation of this legal team is complete, with an official gazette notification expected within the next forty-eight hours to formalize their mandate.
The adviser underscored the urgency of this initiative, noting that the absence of editorial oversight on social media—unlike the rigorous verification processes practiced by mainstream media—has created a breeding ground for malicious content. While acknowledging that many users may inadvertently contribute to the spread of misinformation, he warned that the state will no longer tolerate such activities. The new panel will be empowered to act on specific public complaints while simultaneously employing automated monitoring systems to proactively identify and initiate legal proceedings against systematic cyberbullying and disinformation campaigns.
Beyond the digital regulatory agenda, the government provided a comprehensive update on public health efforts, specifically regarding the ongoing dengue fever outbreak. Comparing year-on-year data, Adviser Rahman highlighted a significant improvement in the national health situation. As of 20 July, reported dengue infections dropped to 10,857, down from 17,218 during the same period last year, while the death toll decreased from 62 to 37. These statistics reflect a successful stabilization of the infection and mortality rates, which have both been halved compared to the previous year’s figures.
Energy security also took center stage, with the administration detailing aggressive strategies to bolster national gas reserves. Rahman announced the signing of new LNG supply agreements with 14 international organizations to meet immediate demands. Furthermore, in a landmark initiative to drill 150 exploratory gas wells by 2030, the government has already finalized work on 29 wells. These efforts have successfully added 270 million cubic feet of gas per day to the reserves, with 125.3 million cubic feet already flowing into the national grid. The government remains committed to its long-term roadmap, aiming to secure an additional 1,491 million cubic feet of daily production capacity by the end of the decade.
The session also illuminated the emerging potential of Bangladesh’s blue economy, catalyzed by extensive research from the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI). Scientists have successfully identified 147 species of seaweed along the Saint Martin’s coastline, with advanced technologies developed to extract valuable compounds like agar, carrageenan, and alginate. By utilizing tissue culture to produce seaweed seedlings, the government has launched pilot farming projects along the Moheshkhali Channel and the Reju Khal River. This initiative is expected to revolutionize the domestic pharmaceutical and food industries while creating substantial opportunities for export-oriented growth and foreign exchange earnings.
Finally, the government highlighted the significant economic and environmental findings regarding the nation’s marine resources. Geological surveys conducted over a 10,000-square-kilometre stretch from Saint Martin’s to the central coast have unearthed heavy mineral deposits—including magnetite, ilmenite, and zircon—with an estimated economic value of $30 million. Parallel research into blue carbon ecosystems has revealed that coastal regions are highly effective carbon sinks, storing up to 160 megagrams of carbon per acre. With the potential financial value of these carbon repositories in the Moheshkhali and Naf River channels estimated at up to $1,096 per hectare, the government is poised to leverage these ecological assets to support both environmental sustainability and national economic expansion.