Editors' Council worried over police claim of 'AI' photo

The Editors' Council has expressed concern over the police's claim that a published protest photo was "AI-generated," as well as over the creation of a mob during a recent event at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the platform of newspaper editors also criticised the interim government's move to revive the media workers protection law, initiated during the previous Awami League regime, saying it poses risks to independent journalism.

The statement referred to a photo showing a police officer squeezing the face of a student during a recent demonstration by students of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) near the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, which was published in several newspapers. The police later alleged that it had been created using artificial intelligence (AI).

The Council noted that multiple news outlets had verified the authenticity of the photo. "We are fully aware of AI-generated images and clearly mention it if any such material is published. This photo, however, was authentic," the statement said.

On the incident at DRU on August 28, the Editors' Council said a group of outsiders entered a pre-announced roundtable meeting and attempted to create a mob. The DRU later issued a statement condemning the disruption, which the Council endorsed.

The editors also voiced alarm over the government's initiative to implement the "media workers protection law" with provisions that remain unchanged from the previous administration's draft. The Ministry of Information has sought opinions from stakeholders, including the Editors' Council, in this regard.

"The revival of such a law reflects the mindset of

the former government and reminds us of its unilateral attempts to interfere with journalism," the

statement added.