Chattogram District Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia has urged people not to believe or immediately react to information found on social media without first verifying its authenticity.
He warned that reactions based on false or misleading information could seriously harm individuals, institutions or groups.
The DC made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion held at the Chattogram Circuit House conference room on Monday to mark International Right to Information Day 2026.
The Chattogram district administration organised the discussion under the theme, “Ensuring Accurate Information in the Digital Age: The Role of the Right to Information in Preventing Misinformation.” Additional District Commissioner (General) Md Sharif Uddin chaired the programme.
Zahidul Islam said many people believe information circulated on social media without checking whether it is accurate.
He said negative information tends to attract public attention quickly. However, if such information is false, the person or institution concerned may suffer social and personal harm.
“It takes only a second to react on social media. But we have to think about what the actual situation is, whether the information is accurate and whether anyone could be harmed by that reaction,” he said.
The district commissioner stressed the importance of checking both the authenticity and context of information before responding. He said actions based on false information could trigger counter-reactions and cause harm to the parties concerned.
Referring to examples from different periods of history, Zahidul Islam said information had sometimes been used to serve state and group interests. While information plays an important role in decision-making, false or deliberately misleading information can also create major crises.
He said the need to verify information has become even more important in the age of digital and social media.
Emphasising transparency and accountability in government activities, the DC said the scope for keeping things hidden was decreasing in the digital era. Government officials and employees therefore need to perform their responsibilities with transparency and efficiency.
“The environment must be kept clean, and our own activities must also be transparent. This is the digital age. Even if we want to, it is becoming difficult to hide things,” he said.
Zahidul Islam said confidential information related to national security must be protected in accordance with laws and policies. At the same time, citizens’ access to information concerning their rights, security and interests must be ensured.
He said both government officials and citizens have responsibilities in building a transparent society.
Discussing artificial intelligence and technology, the DC said technology-driven systems could in some cases reduce the influence of personal preferences and bias. He cited the use of technology in traffic management and surveillance as examples.
He also said initiatives were being taken to install AI-powered cameras at various locations in Chattogram.
However, he stressed that technology cannot replace human conscience, wisdom and humanitarian values.
According to the DC, if people perform their duties lawfully and impartially, excessive reliance on technology can be reduced.
Zahidul Islam called for focusing on protecting people’s rights, security and peace rather than blaming one another.
He urged people to rely on reason, conscience and judgment rather than emotion or blind following when receiving information and responding to content on social media.
