All administrative procedures have been completed for forming a special panel of lawyers to ensure swift and effective legal action against deepfakes, disinformation and cyberbullying on social media, Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday.
"Only the formal government notification remains to be issued, which is expected within the next one or two days as the government has taken a zero-tolerance policy against these offences," he said at the weekly press briefing at the Secretariat.
He said the government has treated the misuse of information-particularly disinformation and cyberbullying-as a serious concern.
The rapid expansion of social media has led to an alarming increase in the spread of false information, smear campaigns, manipulated photos and videos, and the misuse of deepfake technology, the adviser added.
These activities not only damage individuals' reputations but also create social instability and pose significant threats to public safety while women are among the most frequent victims of cyberbullying on social media, he said.
Many face targeted insults, threats, abusive comments, and false campaigns simply because they are women, he said, adding that in many cases, fake images or videos are created to humiliate them publicly.
Considering this reality, he said, the government decided to establish a special legal panel under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
He said the legal panel would not only act upon receiving complaints but would also have the authority to initiate legal action on its own initiative when necessary. It will also actively handle cases the government considers important, he added.
Its primary objective is to ensure legal protection for ordinary citizens and provide prompt assistance to victims, he continued.
He urged citizens who become victims of cyberbullying, deepfakes, disinformation, or online harassment to file complaints with the relevant authorities.
The adviser said while social media provides freedom of expression, responsible use of these platforms is equally important.
He explained that mainstream media follows editorial verification processes before publishing news, whereas social media lacks such safeguards, allowing anyone to spread information instantly.
For this reason, he urged users to be more cautious and avoid sharing information or images without verification.
He added that while the state has a responsibility to raise public awareness, citizens must also behave responsibly.
The government, he said, wants to make it absolutely clear that activities such as disinformation, deepfakes, and cyberbullying will not be tolerated.
Anyone who deliberately engages in such offenses or spreads false information to create public confusion will face legal action in accordance with the law, he said.