Online Desk: Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) have agreed to work together to prevent disinformation, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat said on Sunday.

The State Minister said this during a press briefing after his meeting with the European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley at the Secretariat this afternoon.

“As disinformation has emerged as a global challenge now, we have discussed how we can collaborate and support each other to prevent disinformation,” he said.

Arafat said disinformation and misinformation have exposed the whole of humanity to a risk.

About the types of EU support, the state minister said they would help Bangladesh by exchanging ideas and providing technological support.

Arafat said, “As it is a new phenomenon for the globe and none is yet to solve the problem, we are developing a partnership with the EU to find a mutual solution globally.”

He clarified that the government wants to prevent disinformation without shrinking the space of press freedom.

The government wants a healthy environment everywhere – in journalism, media space, and politics.

“Democracy also means rule of law. Democracy means freedom of everything and rule of law means I can’t do everything. A good balance of democracy and rule of law is very important.”

Arafat said they also exchanged views regarding professional hazards and risks faced by journalists of Bangladesh and EU countries while discharging their duties during wartime, calamities and turmoil situations.

“I have talked about the scope of further improvement of the working environment for journalists in Bangladesh as we want to ensure a healthy atmosphere in politics as well as mass media,” he said.

EU’s existing support to Bangladesh and collaboration in various areas also came up in their discussion, Arafat said.

After the meeting, EU Ambassador Charles Whitley told journalists that the problem of disinformation is being addressed around the world and the EU is also working on this issue.