Swapan urges strengthening media and institutions at Türkiye summit

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has underscored the need for credible communication, strong democratic institutions, and a free media to ensure stability in an evolving global order. He made the remarks at the International Strategic Communication Summit (STRATCOM) 2026, held in Istanbul on Friday.

The summit opened with speeches from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, and Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran. Speaking at a panel titled “A New Framework for the Global Order: A Communication Perspective,” Swapan thanked the Turkish government for hosting the timely forum amid growing global uncertainty, shifting power dynamics, and rising challenges of misinformation and disinformation.

He noted that strategic communication has become central to governance, with countries increasingly evaluated based on the credibility and consistency of their messaging. He emphasized that the most effective way to counter misinformation is by strengthening institutions, particularly ensuring an independent and professional media.

“A strong fourth estate is essential to safeguard truth, ensure accountability, and maintain public trust,” he said.

Swapan also highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing reform priorities, including strengthening democratic institutions, safeguarding media freedom, reviewing restrictive laws, and establishing an independent media regulatory framework.

He reiterated that tackling information disorder requires a balanced institutional approach—rejecting both censorship and unregulated information flows.

Outlining key pillars of strategic communication, he identified credibility, democratic resilience, and global cooperation as essential. He also pointed to the challenges of addressing misinformation in a densely populated and rapidly digitizing country like Bangladesh, noting that information had been manipulated under the previous regime to influence public perception.

“In the digital age, maintaining a balance between access to information and its free flow is crucial. Developing appropriate national and international frameworks will help address emerging challenges. Bangladesh is keen to learn from global experiences while contributing its own to advance collective knowledge, peace, and prosperity,” he added.

Highlighting bilateral ties, Bangladesh reaffirmed its close relationship with Türkiye and expressed appreciation for its humanitarian support, particularly regarding the Rohingya crisis.

Swapan concluded by calling for a more inclusive global communication framework that ensures fair representation of developing nations.

The panel discussion also featured Tahsin Ertugruloglu, Foreign Minister of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; Syria’s Information Minister Hamza Almustafa; and Kazakhstan’s First Vice Minister for Culture and Information Kanat Zhumabayevich Iskakov.