A discussion on ways to prevent misinformation, disinformation and rumours was held in Manikganj on Monday with a view to raising public awareness and countering the impact of misleading information spreading rapidly in society.
Bashundhara Shuvosangho’s Manikganj district unit organised the programme at the conference room of National Polytechnic Institute in the town.
The meeting was chaired by Md Hasan Sikder, president of the district unit Bashundhara Shuvosangho, while Mir Naimur Rahman Plabon, general secretary of the committee, conducted the event.
Jahangir Alam Biswas, president of Manikganj Press Club, attended the programme as chief guest. Engineer Mohammad Farukh Hossain, director of NPI, spoke as special guest.
Among others, Shuvosangho district unit senior vice-president Sourav Mahmud Sohag, vice-president Jahirul Islam Tushar, joint general secretaries Jessica Sheikh Jeba and Siam Ahmed, social welfare secretary Md Bulbul Hasan, office secretary Atikur Rahman Ashik, women and children affairs secretary Tahmina Afrin Mohona, health and human resources secretary Aishi Akter, assistant health and human resources secretary Maimuna Akter, and members Mubin Ahmed and Rubait Sharmin Mishti.
Speakers said misinformation and rumours are among the major causes of violence in society as such false narratives often create political, religious and social divisions among people and hinder the country’s development, peace and order.
“The rapid expansion of social media has enabled false information and rumours to spread quickly, creating confusion and instability. To prevent this, people must develop the habit of verifying information before sharing it,” they added.
The speakers also stressed that legal action should be taken against those who deliberately spread rumours through false information.
At the meeting, participating youths took a pledge to play an active role in preventing misinformation and rumours. They vowed not to share any information without verification and to make others aware of the issue as well.
bd-pratidin/GR