Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday stressed the need for proper checks and balances, saying freedom must not descend into anarchy.
He said the government is committed to combating misinformation and disinformation through collaborative efforts involving all stakeholders in the media sector.
"We are trying to identify the problems in the media ecosystem first, just as a physician diagnoses an illness before prescribing medicine," he said.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled "New Challenges to Independent Media: Misinformation and Our Course of Action," organised marking World Press Freedom Day.
Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Md Shahidul Islam chaired the seminar.
Swapon underscored the significance of World Press Freedom Day and described journalists, media owners, editors and readers as key stakeholders in the media landscape.
He stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy mass communication ecosystem, saying a civilised state requires a strong and independent fourth estate.
Drawing comparison with Nordic countries, he said those nations have successfully strengthened intangible pillars like the media, enabling greater accountability and the effective functioning of other institutions.
Highlighting the challenges posed by the digital age, the minister said misinformation and disinformation have become major threats as digital platforms have transformed the way information is produced and disseminated.
He noted that false information can spread rapidly through digital platforms and often be presented in misleading ways.
Using the analogy of water appearing different through glasses of different colours, he explained how facts can be manipulated to mislead the public.
He also observed that the rise of digital platforms has shifted influence away from traditional media, with individual content creators and YouTubers now often rivaling or even surpassing established media organisations in reach and impact.
In his capacity as information minister, Swapon reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a free, independent and responsible press.
He also spoke about the changing concept of privacy in the digital era, saying traditional notions of privacy no longer fully apply in a world shaped by social media and pervasive digital surveillance.
He warned that personal moments can now be leaked and circulated instantly, demonstrating the immense power of digital platforms.
The minister also pointed to the emergence of industries, including pornography, that exploit private information and personal privacy without consent.
Speaking at the seminar, DUJ President Md Shahidul Islam highlighted the importance of press freedom and the long struggle to achieve it, noting that many media outlets had been suppressed during previous regimes.
He warned about the growing spread of misinformation through social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and X, urging people not to accept such information blindly.
Shahidul called on the public to verify information before acting on it or forming opinions.
He also cautioned against the use of misinformation to create division among people, referring to a recent incident that caused nationwide discomfort.
Stressing that combating misinformation is a collective responsibility, he highlighted the important role of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in addressing the challenge.
He also praised Information Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon for his approach to these issues and expressed hope that he would use public input and his own expertise to foster a media-friendly environment in Bangladesh.
BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury described misinformation as a global social challenge, but particularly acute in Bangladesh, saying it has evolved beyond a digital problem into a social, political and cultural crisis that can undermine national unity.
Citing Rumor Scanner data, he said 837 incidents of misinformation were identified in Bangladesh during the first three months of 2026, with 41 percent said to be politically motivated.
He said Facebook remains the primary platform for spreading false information, accounting for 75 percent of such content.
According to him, misinformation is often created to target public figures, political groups and ideologies, exploiting social media to spread false narratives.
He said platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and TikTok have become fertile ground for what he termed "information terrorism."
This phenomenon, he said, erodes trust, undermines rights and damages the social standing of individuals and groups.
He warned that the ease with which misinformation can be created and disseminated makes it a particularly dangerous challenge, especially when it appears credible.
Kader Gani also noted that while the media plays a crucial role in expanding knowledge, it can also become a vehicle for propagating falsehood.
Referring to a previous period, he alleged that under the Awami League government, many newspapers failed to report the truth and instead deliberately spread false narratives against dissenting voices.
He expressed hope that under the current democratic government, media outlets would act more responsibly and refrain from such practices.
Among others, Daily Jugantor Editor and poet Abdul Hai Shikder, BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, DUJ President Md Shahidul Islam and other leaders also addressed the seminar.