Govt expects responsible journalism from media outlets: Shafiqul Alam

Expressing deep concern over misleading reports carried out by different media outlets on Friday centering clashes between police and Inquilab Moncho, demanding justice for Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today said that the government expected responsible journalism from the country's media outlets. 

"We expect responsible journalism from our media outlets, especially at a time when they have enjoyed unprecedented freedom over the past 18 months. Yet, time and again, they have failed to perform even the most basic journalistic checks," he wrote on his verified Facebook account. 

The press secretary said on Friday, Abdullah Al Jaber, a longtime associate of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi, was injured during clashes with police. 

Dozens of supporters and members of Inquilab Moncho were also injured and received treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, he added.

"As Jaber was being rushed to the hospital, a red-banner post appeared on his Facebook account claiming he had been shot—using the Bangla word gulibiddha. This is a highly loaded term. To most people, gulibiddha clearly implies being hit by live bullets. The post quickly went viral and triggered serious tensions," Shafiqul Alam said.
"Unfortunately, major media houses—including television channels and newspapers—treated this Facebook post as fact," he said, adding, they ran photocards and headlines claiming that Inquilab Moncho leader Abdullah Al Jaber had been shot, spreading misinformation like wildfire.

"We contacted the police. The DMP categorically stated that no shots were fired. In fact, following directives from the Interim Government, police no longer carry lethal weapons. Later, the Director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital also confirmed that none of the protesters, including Jaber, had been shot," the press secretary said. 
Noting that news gathering is a serious responsibility, he said one mistake can incite violence, spark riots, and create chaos. 

"Our newspapers and TV stations failed miserably in reporting yesterday's clashes. They did not merely fall for clickbait—they amplified it. Their lack of verification and basic journalistic rigor helped create an explosive situation," Shafiqul Alam said.

Only statements from the Interim Government, the DMP, and DMCH eventually helped calm things down, he added. 

"We have seen this before. The violence following the crash of an Air Force fighter jet at Milestone School was largely fueled by bad journalism. Sensational and inaccurate reporting helped create a lynch mob that confined several advisers and officials inside the school for more than nine hours," the press secretary said. 

Another mob broke into the Secretariat—home to all ministries—and vandalised offices, he said, adding, "Yesterday's reckless clickbait journalism nearly produced a similar outcome."

Pointing out that journalists are quick to lecture governments, politicians, and powerful individuals about responsibility, Shafiqul Alam said, "But when it comes time to look in the mirror, many choose to look away."