Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has highlighted the critical role of transparent communication, resilient democratic structures, and a free press in maintaining stability within a shifting global landscape.
Addressing the International Strategic Communication Summit (STRATCOM) 2026 on Friday, the minister participated in a panel discussion titled “A New Framework for the Global Order: A Communication Perspective.”
The summit was inaugurated with opening remarks from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, alongside Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran.
Expressing appreciation to the Turkish government for convening the summit during a period of international uncertainty and rising disinformation, Swapan remarked that strategic communication has become a cornerstone of modern governance. He noted that a country’s standing is increasingly tied to the reliability and uniformity of its public messaging.
To effectively combat the spread of false information, Swapan argued for the fortification of institutions, specifically advocating for a professional and independent media sector. He described a robust fourth estate as a vital tool for safeguarding the truth, ensuring governmental accountability, and preserving public confidence. Swapan advocated for a balanced institutional framework that avoids both the pitfalls of state censorship and the disorder of unregulated information.
Swapan also detailed current reform efforts in Bangladesh, which focus on bolstering democratic bodies, protecting media independence, revising restrictive legislation, and establishing an autonomous regulatory body for the press. He proposed three foundational pillars for strategic communication: credibility, democratic endurance, and international partnership.
Reflecting on domestic hurdles, Swapan pointed to the difficulty of managing misinformation in a densely populated and rapidly digitising nation. He observed that under the previous fascist administration, information was deliberately manipulated as a mechanism for public control.
In the current digital era, the minister called for a harmonised approach that balances the right to information with its unrestricted flow. He 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.
Turning to diplomatic relations, Swapan reaffirmed the strong bond between Bangladesh and Turkiye, specifically thanking the host nation for its humanitarian assistance regarding the Rohingya crisis. He finished his address by urging the creation of a more equitable global communication system that provides a fair platform for the perspectives of developing countries.
Other notable participants in the discussion included Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; Hamza Almustafa, the Syrian Information Minister; and Kanat Zhumabayevich Iskakov, First Vice Minister for Culture and Information of Kazakhstan.
