Bangladesh's media freedom at its peak, but disinformation floods social media: CA

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday highlighted that while Bangladesh's media now enjoys unprecedented freedom, misinformation and disinformation have flooded social media.

He made this observation during a meeting with a delegation from the Open Society Foundations, led by Chairman Alex Soros and President Binaifer Nowrojee. During their discussion, Professor Yunus expressed support for the reforms undertaken by the interim government.

According to a spokesperson for the Chief Adviser, the meeting focused on Bangladesh’s efforts to rebuild the economy, trace siphoned-off assets, combat misinformation, and implement crucial economic reforms.

Alex Soros commended Professor Yunus for his leadership during a critical time in Bangladesh’s history and for guiding the necessary reforms to strengthen the country’s institutions and economy.

He noted that the student-led mass uprising had created "great opportunities" to set a new course for the nation.

The discussions covered various key issues, including the July uprising, transitional justice for victims of the struggle, economic reforms, media freedom, recovery of stolen assets, cybersecurity laws and their improvement, and the Rohingya crisis.

"We will explore ways to support your efforts in these areas," said Alex Soros.

Chief Adviser Professor Yunus thanked the Open Society Foundations for its support and urged the organisation to further spread awareness about the unprecedented student-led uprising that overthrew a brutal dictatorship.

"What I witnessed during my visit to Davos was that not many people know about the July uprising," he said, adding, "There is a lot of disinformation."

Professor Yunus also requested the Foundation’s assistance in tracing assets to recover approximately $234 billion allegedly siphoned off during Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule.

He emphasised that the interim government had inherited a "devastated and war-torn" economy and sought the Foundation’s support in the country’s rebuilding process.

The Open Society Foundations also expressed interest in assisting Bangladesh with its crucial transition out of Least Developed Country (LDC) status, a move welcomed by the Chief Adviser.

"We have to think about how to do the transition without any problems," he said.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com