The social media rumour detection and monitoring cell will start working this month, State Minister for Information Tarana Halim said yesterday.

“The government has formed a nine-member social media rumour detection and monitoring centre, headed by the PID deputy principal information officer,” she told reporters after a meeting at the ministry.

The cell is comprised of representatives from the Press Information Department (PID), she said. “If necessary, a high-powered observation committee will also be formed to oversee its activities.”

“The cell has been entrusted with the task of informing the media of any rumours, and its main challenge will be to detect rumours,” Tarana said.

“The information ministry will forward the detected list of rumours to BTRC [Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission] via the posts and telecommunications ministry to filter those,” she added.

“A collective effort from the law enforcement and intelligence agencies, concerned ministries and organisations is needed to do the work properly,” said the state minister.