Information & Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman has called upon the youth to support seniors in acquiring media and information literacy to navigate fake news.
He made these remarks as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Media and Information Literacy Skills for 21st Century Youth” and a special award ceremony held on Thursday, 29 October 2026 at the Manzur Elahi Auditorium of East West University (EWU).
Addressing the gathering, Zahed highlighted that fake news and misinformation are spreading rapidly in Bangladesh, as in the rest of the world. However, he emphasised that the current government prioritises educating and empowering citizens over imposing strict regulatory controls.
Pointing out that older adults are often more vulnerable to misinformation on social media than the younger generation, he urged the youth to step forward and assist seniors in identifying inauthentic information.
The event was organised by the Department of Information Studies at EWU as part of the nationwide celebration of Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2026. The seminar was held in collaboration with the UNESCO Dhaka Office, the Media and Information Literacy Network Bangladesh (MILNetBD), and the UN Electoral Project ‘Ballot’.
The seminar was chaired by EWU Board of Trustees Chairperson Prof Mohammed Farashuddin. EWU Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor M Ashik Mosaddik, UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh Susan Vize, and UN Electoral Project ‘Ballot’ Bangladesh Representative Andrés del Castillo Sánchez, attended as special guests.
EWU Department of Information Studies Chairperson Prof Dilara Begum presented the keynote paper, which was discussed in detail by Prof Kazi Mostak Gausul Hoq from the Department of Information Science and Library Management at Dhaka University.
Following the seminar, awards were distributed to students and awareness advocates in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the week-long media literacy activities.
