Inu\\\'s call to protect mass media from falsehood, distorted info

FE Team | Published: February 23, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Terming mass media a 'mirror of democracy', Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu Saturday said it needs to be protected from the 'wave of falsehood, distorted information and rumour' to ensure the media's due role towards the country and in strengthening democracy, reports UNB.
He said the mass media must remain transparent and active to play its due role maintaining objectivity and accountability towards the country, country's security and to help implement country's vision.
"You (media people) must remain neutral… but, in the name of neutrality, you can't take the side of falsehood, rumor, Pakistan, militancy and military dictatorship," said the Information Minister.
He made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session of the annual conference of the UNB (United News of Bangladesh) district correspondents at its conference room.
Former adviser to the caretaker government and former Editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam and former Bureau Chief of the Associated Press (AP) Farid Hossain also spoke at the session, chaired by UNB Chairman Amanullah Khan.
UNB Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Enayetullah Khan gave the welcome address and spoke briefly about the UNB history.
The Information Minister said the mass media has a historic accountability and role to help the country overcome the many challenges it now faces as the country is gradually moving towards a liberal democracy free from communalism and discrimination.
"We need to do two tasks together - strengthening democracy by making politics clean, uprooting corruption and making media vibrant and transparent. Democracy can't flourish without vibrant and transparent media," he said.