Bangladesh seeks Netherlands partnership to tackle misinformation

The two sides discuss closer cooperation in media, AI and the wider digital ecosystem

Bangladesh has sought to work with the Netherlands to curb the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

On Wednesday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon raised the proposal during a meeting with Dutch Ambassador Joris van Bommel at the Secretariat, according to the ministry.

The two sides also expressed interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation in media, new media, artificial intelligence (AI) and the wider digital ecosystem, it added.

Van Bommel pointed out that the Netherlands has maintained robust bilateral ties with Bangladesh since its independence, with cooperation now spanning education, healthcare, development, and trade.

Swapon said that the newly elected government is focused on driving qualitative improvements across state operations, prompting its keenness to join hands with the European nation on media and communication ventures.

According to him, new media, AI and the digital ecosystem have thrown up fresh challenges in information-driven world.

Asked how the Netherlands was tackling these challenges, the Dutch envoy stressed the need to draw up a new framework to address them.

Ministry Secretary Mahbuba Farjana and Additional Secretary Md Shah Alam were also present at the meeting.