Media must be more vigilant to curb misinformation: Ruman
Atikur Rahman Ruman said distorted reports are creating public confusion and urged journalists to uphold responsibility alongside press freedom.
Media outlets must be more vigilant and responsible in reporting to curb misinformation and propaganda, Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said today (16 September).
"Media outlets must perform their responsibilities more cautiously to prevent propaganda," he said at a special press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon.
Ruman said reports are sometimes being pieced together and presented in ways that distort the facts, particularly across social media and other media platforms, creating confusion among the public.
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He stressed that the government supports media freedom, but freedom of the press must be accompanied by responsibility and caution in news reporting.
"Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has always believed in media freedom. But alongside media freedom, responsibility and caution in reporting are necessary," Ruman said.
Citing an example of what he described as misinformation, Rumon said some people in a neighbouring country had distorted a report to claim that a temple had been demolished as part of new reforms.
He said the claim was false, as the government was actually carrying out development work at the temple. He also alleged that similar misinformation was being spread by some people within Bangladesh.
Referring to the prime minister's involvement in the newspaper industry, Ruman said Tarique Rahman had been a newspaper publisher until two days before becoming prime minister.
"He believes in the freedom of newspapers," he said.
On the government's performance, Ruman said only six months had passed since it took office and that many initiatives would take time to produce results.
"Everyone needs to be patient to see the benefits of the government's initiatives," he said.
Ruman said the prime minister was working from morning to evening and claimed that the gas and electricity situation was now largely under control.
He said the government was working to ensure comfort and peace in people's lives and called for collective efforts to build a better Bangladesh
