Dhaka, June 7 -- Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday said preventing fake news has become a matter of national security, urging policymakers to formulate strategies and regulations with that reality in mind as misinformation increasingly threatens social stability and state interests.

The minister called on information and communication technology (ICT) experts to quickly prepare and submit a draft national action plan to address cyber risks and ensure online safety.

He was speaking at a roundtable discussion titled "Combating Fake News in Bangladesh: Policy, Technology and Accountability", organised by the Nationalist ICT Forum, held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the city.

He sai...