The government will monitor the users of all social media, like Facebook, YouTube and other online platforms round-the-clock in order to thwart any attempt to defame others and create anarchy in the country through spreading rumours. Several groups in a planned way continue uploading defamatory images, videos and posts on various platforms of social media. Besides, some vested quarters have also been instigating for committing criminal acts through social media across the country.
Reportedly, the High Court recently blasted the Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for its failure to stop the spread of defamatory media reports, videos and pictures from online platforms.
However, BTRC is unable to remove contents from these platforms because it has no authority and control over them. It can only report such contents to these platforms. However, it is good to note that a special cell has already been constituted by BTRC to bring all social media under surveillance round the clock.
The government must take stern action against people
involved in spreading rumours, defamatory images and
videos on social media platforms
Therefore, the Facebook, YouTube Twitter, cyber games, WhatsApp and other social media will be under close surveillance by the BTRC alongside intelligence agencies to root out such illegal and immoral activities. Also, it will be able to track down the vested quarters engaged in spreading materials in order to defame individuals’ characters or instigate violence and criminal actives.
Earlier, Facebook had removed about 4,888 links last year against requests for removal of 18,836 links while the YouTube removed 62 links when asked to delete 431 links. Social media, including Facebook and Twitter, has also a responsibility in preventing such illegal activities and rumours.
It has been noticed that the vested groups staying in different foreign countries upload defamatory images, videos and posts and rumours in order to make them viral across Bangladesh in a planned way. The people will have to remain alert against such illegal and unethical activities and rumours.
We believe the government is committed to taking stern actions against people involved in spreading rumours, defamatory images, videos and posts. The government introduced tough cybercrime laws to deal with such malicious campaigns and anyone who spreads such false information would be exposed to justice.