DHAKA:  Government has formed a monitoring cell to detect rumors in social networking sites (social media) in order to provide people with information on its behalf.

The cell, comprising officials of Press Information Department (PID), will inform media about government's statement immediately after detecting rumors in social networking sites.

State Minister for Post and Telecommunication Tarana Halim told the reporters at an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday (October 9).

Tarana Halim said, “Social media becomes a factory to spread rumors. After collecting and verifying the information, the information ministry will let the print, electronic and online media know the fact.”

Tarana Halim said, “We are not policing or monitoring. We are not against freedom of speech.” 

Regarding online and social media rumors, information will be sent to Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) via intelligence agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs to filter or block the content.

BDST: 1537 HRS, OCT 9, 2018

AH/SMS