Bangladesh is actively pursuing its goals of becoming a “Smart Nation,” with a focus on digital inclusion, online safety, misinformation, and access to information in the Bangla language. Amrita Choudhury, an expert in internet governance and the recipient of the 2026 Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Community Excellence Award, emphasized in an interview with The Daily Star the importance of enabling meaningful participation from various sectors like civil society, women, youth, journalists, and the technology community to enhance Bangladesh’s global digital presence.
Choudhury, who chairs the Asian, Australasian and Pacific Islands Regional At-Large Organisation (APRALO) and the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF), as well as co-founded the India School of Internet Governance (inSIG) and serves as director of the Cyber Cafe Association of India (CCAOI), highlighted the need for Bangladeshi civil society groups and technology communities to actively engage in global internet governance discussions beyond mere attendance at meetings.
To effectively contribute to global policy discussions, individuals must familiarize themselves with domain name policy, digital inclusion, cybersecurity, and internet accessibility. Choudhury stressed the importance of students, young professionals, civil society representatives, and the technology community participating in ICANN’s multistakeholder model to ensure that policies are reflective of the developing country context.
Efforts such as inSIG and bdSIG aim to enhance community capacity in understanding internet governance and engaging in global policy dialogues. Collaboration between these initiatives can promote informed regional leadership and bolster South Asia’s representation in key forums like ICANN and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).
Encouraging active participation of women in forums such as the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum and APrIGF is crucial for a more inclusive digital policy ecosystem. Women need to be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to address online challenges like misinformation and harassment, which disproportionately affect them. Capacity-building programs, mentorship, and networking opportunities can empower women to contribute to policymaking processes effectively.
The scarcity of locally relevant technical content in many regions necessitates the expansion of translated and culturally relevant material. While AI tools can aid in this process, human oversight is essential for accuracy. Overcoming barriers like Universal Acceptance for native-language domain names requires concerted efforts from governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders to ensure seamless integration with browsers and applications.
Despite the shift towards mobile-first societies in countries like India and Bangladesh, assisted digital services remain essential for citizens requiring support in various online transactions. Strengthening existing access points, such as cybercafés and Common Service Centres, is crucial for promoting digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and misinformation prevention while delivering essential public services to the community.
Choudhury commended Bangladesh’s Kids Internet Governance Forum as a rare initiative and emphasized the importance of youth engagement in digital governance discussions. Efforts to combat misinformation, especially during critical events like elections, require collaborative strategies involving governments, technology platforms, and civil society to uphold freedom of expression while curbing harmful content dissemination.
It is imperative for Bangladesh to ensure inclusive and meaningful participation from diverse stakeholders in global internet governance processes to drive digital development effectively. The multistakeholder model should be actively applied across sectors to monitor and shape outcomes that benefit all communities, including marginalized groups.
Journalists play a crucial role in shaping internet governance debates that impact their profession and public interest. Platforms like APrIGF and IGF offer opportunities for media professionals to engage in discussions on relevant topics such as artificial intelligence, misinformation, and content regulation, moving beyond reporting to actively influencing the future direction of their field.
