Info minister calls for strong media, institutions to ensure global stability

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has emphasised the need for credible communication, resilient democratic institutions and a free media to ensure stability in a changing global landscape.

He made the remarks at the International Strategic Communication Summit (STRATCOM) 2026 in Istanbul today (27 March).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran delivered the opening speeches at the summit.

Thanking the Turkish government for hosting the event amid growing global uncertainty and rising disinformation, Swapan said strategic communication has become central to modern governance. He noted that a country’s global standing is increasingly shaped by the consistency and credibility of its public messaging.

To counter misinformation, he called for strong institutions and emphasised the importance of an independent and professional media sector. 

A robust fourth estate, he said, plays a key role in ensuring accountability, protecting truth and maintaining public trust. He also highlighted the need for a balanced framework that avoids both excessive state control and unchecked information flow.

Swapan outlined ongoing reforms in Bangladesh, including strengthening democratic institutions, safeguarding media independence, reviewing restrictive laws and establishing an autonomous media regulatory body.

He proposed three pillars for effective strategic communication: credibility, democratic resilience and global cooperation.

The minister also pointed to the challenges of tackling misinformation in a densely populated and rapidly digitising country like Bangladesh, noting that in the past, information had been distorted and used as a tool of control under authoritarian rule.

Swapan called for a harmonised approach that balances the right to information with its unrestricted flow in the current digital era.

He also suggested that a fresh national and international framework is necessary to meet modern challenges, stating that Bangladesh aims to adopt global best practices while sharing its own insights to foster international peace and prosperity.