US Ambassador Meets with Information Minister and State Minister
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Mr. Brent Neiman met with Information and Broadcasting Minister Mr. Andaleeve Rahman and State Minister Mr. Yasser Khan Chowdhury at the Secretariat on Wednesday morning. During the courtesy call, the Ambassador congratulated Mr. Andaleeve Rahman on assuming his new ministerial role. Both sides discussed various issues of mutual interest, with the Ambassador noting that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States continue to strengthen and expand across key sectors, including trade, commerce, and ongoing US assistance for health and Rohingya support.
Highlighting the government’s reform agenda, Information Minister Mr. Andaleeve Rahman stated that the current administration is actively working toward positive changes in political culture alongside state governance, citing the broadcast of opposition news on Bangladesh Television (BTV) as a prime example. Addressing concerns regarding the Cyber Security Act, he clarified that the government has no intention of controlling the media and assured that all measures are being taken responsibly to safeguard media freedom and free expression.
The Information Minister emphasized a firm commitment to upholding a free media environment while taking necessary measures against defamatory content, misinformation, and disinformation on social media. Ambassador Mr. Brent Neiman highlighted the critical importance of engaging in stakeholder consultations during this process. Acknowledging that the country’s experience over the past 17 years was not positive, Rahman reaffirmed that the present government is working with honest intentions to bring about constructive, lasting changes in national governance.
State Minister Mr. Yasser Khan Chowdhury stressed the urgent need for effective initiatives to counter digital propaganda, specifically advocating for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in these efforts. He remarked that ordinary citizens suffer the most from false information spread through fake social media accounts. Consequently, he emphasized implementing robust security measures to ensure that citizens can use online platforms safely, further solidifying the nation’s commitment to responsible information management and public digital safety.
