Information and Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has urged young people to help senior citizens develop media and information literacy skills to identify fake news and misinformation.
He made the call as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Media and Information Literacy Skills for 21st Century Youth” and a special award ceremony at the Manzur Elahi Auditorium of East West University (EWU) on October 29, 2026.
Addressing the gathering, Zahed said fake news and misinformation were spreading rapidly in Bangladesh, as in the rest of the world. He said the government prioritized educating and empowering citizens over imposing strict regulatory controls.
He also noted that older adults were often more vulnerable to misinformation on social media than younger people, urging the youth to help seniors identify inauthentic information.
The event was organized by EWU's Department of Information Studies as part of the nationwide celebration of Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2026. It was held in collaboration with the UNESCO Dhaka Office, the Media and Information Literacy Network Bangladesh (MILNetBD), and the UN Electoral Project “Ballot.”
Professor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, chairperson of EWU's Board of Trustees, chaired the seminar.
Professor Dr M Ashik Mosaddik, acting vice-chancellor of EWU; Dr Susan Vize, UNESCO representative to Bangladesh; and Andrés del Castillo Sánchez, representative of the UN Electoral Project “Ballot” Bangladesh, attended as special guests.
Professor Dr Dilara Begum, chairperson of EWU's Department of Information Studies, presented the keynote paper, which was discussed by Professor Dr Kazi Mostak Gausul Hoq of the Department of Information Science and Library Management at the University of Dhaka.
Following the seminar, awards were presented to students and awareness advocates in recognition of their contributions to the week-long media literacy activities.
