Feeling that peaceful atmosphere may be disrupted in the coming elections through false news and rumours, a fake news prevention cell has been formed by the Ministry of Information.
To prevent concocted news from spreading, police sub-committee are monitoring social media platforms.
The cell is giving importance to rumours which have the potential to trigger subversion, sedition and mass uprising.
Till the start of operation on Sept 18, three fake news alerts were sent out by the ministry with several people arrested. A rumour spread on Dec 2 that polling agents were being bribed.
Additional Secretary (press) Mizan ul Ala, who is in charge of the cell, says, “The body is working round the clock to prevent the dissemination of fabricated news and after identifying several factors of false news, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Board (BTRC) and others have been notified.”
Head of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit Monirul Islam said, “Along with preventing the spread of fake news, the truth will be sent to the media fast.”
Election Commission Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said that a 24-hour monitoring is underway to ensure no one is abusing social media platforms to carry out any damaging propaganda.