Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that in the era of free flow of information, in order to improve the quality of journalism, ensure the dignity of real journalists and prevent fake journalism, the Bangladesh Press Council has taken a plan to create an online database along with determining the educational qualifications of journalists.
Member of Parliament for Bagerhat-4 Constituency today Sunday. He gave this information in response to a question written by Abdul Alim. The proceedings of the 16th day of the first session of the Thirteenth National Parliament began at 3 pm under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal.
Member of Parliament In the written question, Abdul Alim wants to know that in the current digital era, information flow, freedom of media, prevention of fake news and development in modern broadcasting system have become very important. But in many cases, various challenges are being observed in ensuring proper development of media, transparency of information and responsible journalism. In this case, is there any information and broadcasting plan to prevent fake news and disinformation?
In response, the Minister said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has already taken various action plans to prevent fake news and propaganda. Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) will provide training on AI training, narrative creation, information policy support and multimedia journalism. Implementation of 4 workshops outside Dhaka and 2 in Dhaka every month is ongoing. This workshop will be held in Dhaka with at least one journalist leader every month. Good relations and communication have been established with the international media working inside the country. Preparations are underway to hold discussions and seminars on fact checking and fake news with various stakeholders including fact checking organizations, mainstream media.
He also said that 22 photocards and 10 anti-rumour reports have been sent to various national dailies and news portals from the Directorate of Information during the present government to prevent fake news and propaganda.
The Information Minister said that according to Section 12 of the Press Council Act, 1974, there is an opportunity to lodge a complaint with the Press Council by any aggrieved person or organization against journalistic ethics and dissemination of news contrary to public interest by journalists, editors of any newspaper, news organization. Accordingly, 8 complaints filed with the Press Council are pending. Bangladesh Press Council has recently organized a training workshop on prevention of media malpractice and objective news reporting with the participation of journalists from various print and electronic media in 32 districts of the country, including Dhaka, in order to encourage journalists to practice responsible journalism by avoiding malpractice. Besides, in the era of free flow of information, to improve the quality of journalism, ensure the dignity of real journalists and prevent fake journalism, the Bangladesh Press Council has taken a plan to create an online database along with determining the educational qualifications of journalists.
Times BD/RA
