Urging the media to play responsible role in resisting conspiracy, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Nahid Islam on Tuesday (Nov 26) said the ousted fascist government has been hatching conspiracy continuously to create an unstable situation across the country. “The government has given full freedom to the mass media so that journalism can be flourished properly in the country,” he said. The adviser said this while exchanging views with the leaders of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) at the seminar room of his ministry at the secretariat in Dhaka, local media reported.
Nahid said, "We welcome constructive criticism. The government remains open to both positive and critical feedback from the media. Constructive criticism is beneficial for the government. The government can correct itself through constructive criticism.”
The government has already formed media reform commission to strengthen the mass media, he said, adding that the commission will submit a report to the government after holding discussions with all stakeholders concerned.
The adviser said the government will attempt to implement the report through consultations with various parties and it wants to foster an environment where free and responsible journalism can flourish.
Mentioning the role of journalists in the anti-discrimination movement, Nahid Islam said that many field-level journalists collected news of the movement. However, due to the concerned media authorities, the news of the movement was not disseminated properly through their respective media outlets in all cases, he added.
Referring to the false information published in some media recently, he said that people were confused and chaos was created in the society due to the spread of false information and rumors in the media.
One of the responsibilities of the media is to present the truth to the people, he said, adding that there is no alternative to the media's responsible role in disseminating the truth. He said the ousted fascist government imposed restrictions on the media in various ways and at that time, many journalists worked like party workers.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana said it is mandatory to verify the truth before publishing any news in the media. She emphasized on media coverage of the sacrifices of the martyrs and injured in the anti-discrimination movement.
