Arafat vows to tackle propaganda

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat today said he wants to set up a framework to tackle propaganda and rumours.

He said this while talking to reporters at the Secretariat on the first day in office.

"We can set up a framework on how we can hold such acts accountable," said the state minister.

He said many are spreading propaganda using social media. They are even using logos of the mainstream media for that. "The problem is that the freedom of expression should not be hampered, the freedom of the media should not be hampered in order to check this kind of propaganda. So we have to take a new strategy. "

"We said free flow of information and freedom of expression are part of the spirit of our Liberation War. We are fully committed to this end. Freedom of media is crucial for the sake of democracy, for the sake of country's progress, free flow of information and freedom of expression," he said.

Earlier, newly-appointed foreign minister and outgoing information minister Hasan Mahmud introduced Arafat to heads of different departments and officials of the ministry.