The Bangladeshi government remains steadfast in its commitment to curbing the proliferation of AI-driven misinformation and digital threats. During a session at the Sangsad Bhaban on July 8, 2026, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon briefed Parliament on the multi-faceted approach currently being employed to combat rumours, deepfakes, and cyber-malice. In response to a query from lawmaker Md Rafiqul Islam Khan, the Minister emphasized that these protective measures are being balanced carefully with the government’s dedication to upholding media freedom.
At the core of these institutional efforts is the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB), which operates the “BanglaFact” platform—a specialized initiative dedicated to fact-checking, media research, and systematic data analysis. Minister Swapon highlighted that this entity has become a cornerstone in verifying the authenticity of content circulating online. Since the inception of the platform, BanglaFact has produced a substantial volume of corrective content, including 860 distinct investigative reports, fact-checks, and analytical reels, with a significant portion of this output generated since the current administration took office.
To ensure the sustainability of these efforts, the ministry has invested heavily in human capital development across the nation. Recognizing that the media landscape is constantly evolving, the government has executed an ambitious training schedule spanning all 64 districts. Between October 2024 and June 2026, the ministry facilitated 141 individual workshops, successfully training over 6,700 journalists. These programs focus specifically on emerging challenges, including the technical nuances of Artificial Intelligence, the intricacies of modern digital journalism, and the rigorous verification protocols necessary to combat deepfakes.
Proactive identification has become a daily routine for the teams at BanglaFact, who are tasked with monitoring the digital sphere for malicious activity. The Minister explained that the unit works tirelessly to flag and expose fraudulent social media accounts, pages, and websites masquerading as legitimate individuals or organizations. By verifying an average of three to five suspicious claims every single day, the platform acts as a critical line of defense for the public, preventing the mass spread of confusion and disinformation that is often weaponized via social media networks.
Looking toward future institutional sustainability, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is currently finalizing a comprehensive “Fact-Checking Manual” specifically designed for media professionals. This resource is intended to standardize verification procedures across the local news industry, ensuring that journalists possess a uniform set of tools to validate digital information before publication. This manual represents a transition from reactionary measures to a more proactive, standardized industry practice aimed at sanitizing the digital information ecosystem of AI-generated deceit.
In his concluding remarks to Parliament, Minister Swapon underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation in managing the digital domain. He reiterated that the government is coordinating across various relevant ministries to build a robust policy framework that can effectively stifle cybercrimes without infringing upon the transparency and rights of the press. By bridging technological research with legislative policy, the government seeks to ensure that the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence serves the public interest rather than becoming a conduit for social discord and misinformation.