The government has given importance on public diplomacy to counter anti-Bangladesh propaganda abroad and spreading of misinformation against the development activities. In the light of the government’s instructions, the Public Diplomacy Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken various steps to raise the image of the country to international community, sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told The News Times.
The Public Diplomacy Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was rebranded in 2020 as part of a plan to enhance internal and external communications and streamline its operations. At present the wing is working to inform the Bangladeshi people living in the country and abroad about the foreign policy of the government and create a positive image against the negative propaganda at domestic and international levels.
An official of foreign ministry said some people have been carrying out anti-Bangladesh propaganda abroad for a long time. Especially they are spreading misinformation against various developmental activities of the government. They are inciting the expatriate Bangladeshi and international community in different countries against the government through false propaganda. They are not only questioning the government but also destroying the dignity of the country in foreign soil, he added.
He said the ministry has taken various steps to prevent to the misinformation and spread correct information to international community. As they are spreading misinformation against the country online, we are trying to raise correct information through social media.
Another official said work is also being done outside social media. Some authors are writing about these matters in the various media. They have presented correct information through their write ups. Even they are writing about the country without any kind of honorarium, the official said, without revealing their names.
Toufiq Hasan, Director General of public diplomacy wing of the ministry, said a mischievous group has been spreading false information against Bangladesh and the government in and outside the country using online platforms for a long time. They are giving wrong message to the international community about Bangladesh, he said, adding the public diplomacy wing is working to highlight the correct information.
“Our missions located in different countries were instructed to be alert against misinformation. They were also asked to enhance communication and give accurate information to the social media audience,” Toufiq said, adding they were also asked to report to the ministry whenever any anti-Bangladesh news is published in foreign media.
