Prime Minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly today said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was the target of 410 instances of misinformation over the course of nine months from January to September this year.
During the same period, he said 118 pieces of misinformation targeted the BNP, while 451 focused on the current government.
The press secretary came up with the comment while speaking as the chief guest at a reception ceremony for the new members of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), held at the organization’s Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium today.
Saleh Shibly presented the information citing a report by a fact-checking organization.
He said misinformation and rumours have become a major challenge for journalism.
Although various types of information spread on social media, there are questions about their credibility and for this reason, people still rely on responsible media to verify the truth of important news, he added.
Journalists must play more responsible role in combating misinformation and rumours, he added.
Emphasizing the need to launch regular fact-checking programmes on every television channel and media outlet, the press secretary said even a 10 to 15-minute programme every day can help people identify accurate information. It is essential to ensure the authenticity of any information before broadcasting it, he said.
He further said an effective law is needed to combat misinformation and rumours. However, he said it must be ensured that the freedom of journalism is not hindered in the formulation or application of laws related to cyber security.
Addressing the new members of DRU, the Prime Minister's press secretary said it is important to maintain the unity of the organization. Differences of opinion may exist, but reaching a common goal through mutual respect and understanding is the beauty of an organization, he said.
DRU President Abu Saleh Akon presided over the event and General Secretary Maynul Hasan Sohel moderated it.
DRU organizing secretary M M Jasim gave welcome speech while DRU vice president Mehdi Azad Masum, joint secretary Md. Jafar Iqbal, former general secretary Kabir Ahmed Khan, and former publicity and publication secretary Md. Shahidul Islam also spoke at the event.
DRU treasurer Niaz Mahmud Sohel, office secretary Md. Rashim (Rashim Molla), sports secretary Omar Faruk Rubel, cultural secretary Md. Manowar Hossain, reception secretary Aminul Haque Bhuiyan, welfare secretary Rafiq Mridha, executive members Md. Akhtar Hossain, Ali Azam, Mahfuz Sadi, Al-Amin Azad, Sumon Chowdhury and Md. Abdul Alim were present at the event.
