In a significant move to tackle the growing menace of digital hostility, the government has officially established a dedicated panel of legal experts tasked with combating disinformation and cyberbullying. Announced by the Prime Minister’s adviser on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Zahed Ur Rahman, this initiative aims to fortify protections for citizens, with a specific focus on women who are disproportionately subjected to malicious online harassment. The measure underscores a shift in state policy toward more aggressive intervention in the digital space, ensuring that those who use the internet as a tool for abuse are held accountable under the law.
The decision arrives amidst rising government concern regarding organized misinformation campaigns that have permeated the country’s digital landscape. Speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat, Rahman highlighted that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has been closely monitoring the surge in manipulated content, including fake images and doctored videos. He emphasized that the state is particularly alarmed by the vitriol directed at women who express dissenting opinions, noting that such behavior has created a toxic environment that the government can no longer afford to ignore or handle with passive oversight.
Following an exhaustive administrative process—which included public advertisements and rigorous interviews—the selection of the lawyer panel has officially concluded. Rahman confirmed that the administrative hurdles have been cleared and the formal notification regarding the team’s formation is expected to be released within the coming days. This panel is designed to be a proactive force; it is authorized not only to respond to formal public complaints but also to initiate legal proceedings independently when they identify severe instances of online misconduct or systemic disinformation.
The adviser framed this development as a double-edged sword: it offers a vital layer of protection for the public while serving as a stern warning to malevolent actors. By establishing a formal legal mechanism, the government is signaling that it views cyberbullying and digital deception as serious criminal offenses rather than mere online friction. Rahman cautioned those engaged in spreading malicious content to be wary, as the state is now equipped with the institutional capacity to pursue those who weaponize information to harass, defame, or destabilize the social fabric through digital platforms.
Recognizing that legal action is only one facet of a broader strategy, the ministry is also placing significant emphasis on media literacy. Rahman pointed out the stark contrast between traditional journalism, which adheres to strict editorial safeguards, and the unregulated environment of social media, where misinformation spreads unchecked. He urged the public to cultivate a habit of verifying information before sharing it, arguing that user responsibility is essential to curbing the spread of false narratives. The goal is to empower citizens to become more critical consumers of digital content, thereby shrinking the audience for disinformation.
Ultimately, the initiative is intended to transcend political interests by prioritizing the safety of everyday citizens. While the panel will address disinformation directed at the government, its mandate is intentionally broad to ensure that ordinary individuals have access to the protection they frequently lack in online environments. As the government prepares to activate this new mechanism, it has urged the public to report incidents of abuse, expressing a firm commitment to restoring decorum and security to the nation’s digital discourse.
