Editors' Council expresses concern over police's AI claim on student protest photo, DRU mob incident and revival of AL-era media law
The council noted that the interim government’s move to implement the Media Workers’ Protection Act mirrors the mindset of the previous government
The Editors' Council has expressed deep concern over the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's (DMP) dismissal of a widely circulated protest photo as "AI-generated."
The photo, showing a police officer clamping a protesting student's mouth during recent demonstrations by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), was later verified by multiple media outlets as authentic, the council said in a statement today (3 September).
On this matter, the Editors' Council stated, "We are well aware of artificial intelligence technology. If we ever publish an AI-generated image, we make sure to mention it."
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The council also condemned the mob creation during a pre-announced roundtable meeting at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) on 28 August.
"Since the event was open, an unruly group entered and attempted to create chaos. The DRU later issued a statement condemning and protesting the incident. The Editors' Council fully supports DRU's stance and denounces such attempts at mob creation," reads the statement.
It also stated that the interim government has initiated steps to implement the Media Workers (Service Conditions) Act, a legislation originally drafted during the Awami League's tenure.
"Reports suggest that large portions of the law remain unchanged. The Ministry of Information has also sought feedback from various stakeholders, including the Editors' Council."
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According to the council, reviving such measures reflects the mindset of the previous government.
"This repetition reminds us of the interference and one-sided initiatives taken against press freedom under the Awami League. We strongly oppose any attempt to curtail press freedom under the guise of worker protection," said the statement.
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Earlier on 28 August, the DMP in a statement posted on the DMP News, the online news portal of the force, claimed that a viral image showing Ramna Division Deputy Commissioner (DC) Masud Alam clamping a protesting student's mouth with his right hand was generated with artificial intelligence (AI).
However, photographers and metadata analysis have contradicted the DMP claim, affirming instead that the photo was taken during demonstrations in Dhaka on 27 August.
Amid widespread criticism, the DMP News later removed the post from its Facebook page.
Correction: The name of the law is Media Workers (Service Conditions) Act. It was earlier mentioned as Media Workers' Protection Act.
