Urging the media to play responsible role in resisting conspiracy, information and broadcasting adviser Md Nahid Islam on Tuesday said that the ousted fascist government was hatching conspiracy continuously to create an unstable situation across the country.
鈥楾he government has given full freedom to the mass media so that journalism can be flourished properly in the country,鈥� he said.
The adviser was exchanging views with the leaders of Dhaka Reporters Unity at the seminar room of his ministry at the secretariat.
鈥榃e 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,鈥� he said.
鈥楾he government has already formed media reform commission to strengthen the mass media,鈥� he said, adding that the commission would submit a report to the government after holding discussions with all stakeholders concerned.
The adviser said that the government would attempt to implement the report through consultations with various parties and it wanted to foster an environment where free and responsible journalism could 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.
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 rumours in the media.
鈥極ne of the responsibilities of the media is to present the truth to the people,鈥� he said, adding that there was no alternative to the media鈥檚 responsible role in disseminating the truth.
He said that 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 that it was mandatory to verify the truth before publishing any news in the media.
She emphasised on media coverage of the sacrifices of the martyrs and injured in the anti-discrimination movement.
