Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon compared information management to "oxygen", saying that providing accurate information and preventing misinformation during any national disaster is an "acid test" for the government.
He instructed District Information Officers (DIOs) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to present an accurate picture of the government's disaster response, maintain direct communication with the public, and provide daily updates on their activities.
The minister made the remarks during an interaction with district information officers from across the country through virtual platform from the ministry’s conference room here today.
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury, Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana, Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, Mass Communication Department Director General Md. Abdul Jalil and other senior officials were also present.
Swapon said just as life becomes endangered when the air is polluted or absent, misinformation and false information can bring severe disruption to society.
“Ensuring that this flow of information remains untainted is one of our foremost responsibilities. If every day we can identify and prevent at least 20 pieces of false information or rumors and report that to the nation, people will become more aware, and the ministry's work will achieve its purpose," he said.
He said information no longer comes only through print and broadcast media; digital platforms have become one of the primary driving forces.
“Therefore, we must move beyond traditional methods of communication and establish a strong presence on digital platforms as quickly as possible," he added.
During the briefing, the minister connected virtually with information officers from the seven flood-affected districts of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Habiganj, and Moulvibazar to review field-level activities.
He instructed Mass Communication Department DG to immediately form a special emergency team comprising information officers from these seven districts to stay connected with the ministry and headquarters round the clock.
Addressing the officials, the minister said, "Reports must contain objective, data-driven information and statistics. Daily reports should include accurate figures on flooded villages, stranded people, snakebite incidents, and relief distribution. The submitted data will be cross-checked with information received from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief."
To ensure continuous communication with the public during the disaster, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser have been assigned responsibility for public outreach.
From now on, regular daily press briefings will be held on the disaster situation and the government's relief operations. In addition, the ministry will operate a coordinated control room.
“While the work of other ministries is often visible through physical infrastructure, our responsibility is primarily to keep people informed and reassured through accurate information on digital and media platforms. This disaster is an acid test for us," said Swapon.
Officials participating virtually from the field reported that district information offices have continued public awareness campaigns and loudspeaker announcements to encourage people at risk of landslides to move to shelters.
As flood conditions have begun to improve, they are also focusing on preventing waterborne diseases, raising awareness about snakebites, and preventing irregularities in relief distribution.
The Information Minister called upon field-level officials to continue carrying out their responsibilities diligently despite the challenging conditions.
