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Media must strongly counter rumors, misinfo: Mahfuj
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam today said the mass media must take a strong stance against rumors and misinformation.
“At the same time, people’s distrust in the mass media must be removed,” he said while addressing a workshop on ‘Prevention of bad journalism in the media and presentation of objective news’ with the participation of members of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) at the Bangladesh Press Council in the city.
The workshop was organized by the Bangladesh Press Council.
Highlighting the prevalence of rumors, Mahfuj said, “Rumors and misinformation are being spread knowingly. The prevalence of misinformation has intensified during the 15-year rule of the previous government.”
Regarding news related to the earthquake, he said, “Some media outlets have spread panic instead of raising public awareness about the earthquake. This is sad,” he added.
Mahfuz Alam said, “If the people do not have trust in the media, anyone will mislead the people with any information and chaos will be created in the country. For this, public trust in the media must be restored.”
He expected that the media to play a responsible role during the next national elections.
Highlighting the activities of the Bangladesh Press Council, the adviser said that it is a quasi-judicial institution. The previous government had made the institution ineffective, he added.
He said the current interim government has taken the initiative to make the Press Council effective. Journalists have the opportunity to approach the Press Council from the place of rights.
He urged the Press Council to play a strong role within the existing law.
Chairman of the Bangladesh Press Council Justice AKM Abdul Hakim presided over the event while Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana addressed it as special guest.
The daily Financial Express Editor Shamsul Haque Zahid and DRU President Abu Saleh Akon, among others, also spoke.
A total of 50 journalists from different outlets participated in the workshop. At the end of the workshop, certificates were distributed among the participating journalists, reports BSS.