Bangladesh seeks France’s support for advanced fact-checking training

The Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, has sought France’s cooperation in providing advanced-level training for Bangladeshi fact-checkers.

He made the request during a meeting with Jean-Marc Serre-Charles, the French Ambassador to Bangladesh, at the Special Assistant’s office in the Posts and Telecommunications Division at the Secretariat on Tuesday, November 25.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said the Government of Bangladesh is developing a range of laws and technology-based administrative frameworks, including the Cyber Security Act, the Personal Data Protection Act, Digital Citizen Identity and the e-Payment system. He added that work is also ongoing, with Estonia’s assistance, on the digital ecosystem and data interoperability.

He further stated that a national framework is being developed to counter misinformation and disinformation during the election period, and various agencies, including law-enforcement bodies, are working together in this regard. As fact-checking is a crucial component of this effort, France’s cooperation is needed to provide advanced-level training for Bangladeshi fact-checkers.

The French Ambassador said Bangladesh and France share a commitment to democratic values. Owing to France’s active role in the Indo-Pacific region, Bangladesh holds particular importance for them. He added that French universities and engineering schools operate with state subsidies, making education relatively affordable, an advantage for Bangladeshi students interested in studying in France.

The meeting featured extensive discussions on digital cooperation, cyber security, progress in the telecommunications sector and future plans between the two countries.