Face falsehood with truth, roundtable on false narratives told

Prof. Anwarfullah Chowdhury, former Vice=Chancellor of Dhaka University addresssing a meeting on False narratives, threat to National Security and Unity on Monday 27 April 2026.

The need for facing false narratives with prompt true narratives was emphasised at a roundtable in Capital Dhaka on Monday with researchers and academics suggesting an institutional approach to dealing with misinformation and disinformation instead of overreacting to the abuse of the social media.

The topic was discussed at a roundtable discussion on "False Narratives, Propaganda and Disunity: Threats to Stability, National Security and Unity" organised by a Citizen Forum at a local Hotel. Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed, chairman, University Grants Commission, presented a keynote paper with Prof. Anwarullah Chowdhury, former VC of Dhaka University in the chair. 

Speakers at the roundtable analysed the extent of misinformation and disinformation coming through the social media with the explosion in information technology and said its better to learn living with this and fight the trend, by prompting correct information against the spread of wrong information.

Some of them suggested that the intelligence services should assigned to track down the misinformants. Other speakers of the opinion that this might invite the accusation of human rights violation. Rather some misinformation causing no direct damage might be ignored while the dangerous ones should be Taken up seriously with proper response. 

Some senior police officials said it was difficult to deal with misformation coming from abroad because the social media often avoids taking action not to be blamed for violating human rights. Plus definition of crimes is different from country to country laws.

Long dictatorial rule and the spread of negative view of the people for decades have created a negative view of man and the society. They called for imparting moral education right from the elementary level to inculcate mutual respect in the society. The practice of democratic tolerance would also help ease the situation, they felt.

Moderated by Dr. Isharaf Hossain, secretary general of the Foudation for development and peace Strategy, the discussion was addressed by Dr. Sakhawat Hossain, Air Vice Marshal Mahmudul Hasan, Shamsul Alam Liton, Md Shamsul Huq DIG of Police CID. Journalist Mehedi Hasan Polash, Let. Col Shafiul Alam BUP. NSU prof. Tawfiqul Islam Chowdhury, Gazi A Rahman of BRAC University, Alauddin Mohammad, Ambassadors Shamim Ahsan and Nasim Ferdous, Ashraful Huda, former IGP, Brigadier Gen Safayat, Iktedar Ahmed. Barrister Nashid Rahman, Prof Tammeri Islam, Sarwar Alam, and Adv Nazmus Sakib among other. Dr. Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan Vice Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University gave the vote of thanks.    

GreenWatch Desk