The government has planned to create an online database through the Bangladesh Press Council, including determining the educational qualifications of journalists, to improve journalism standards, ensure the dignity of genuine journalists, and prevent fake journalism, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon told parliament on Sunday.
The minister disclosed the information in response to a written question from Bagerhat-4 MP Md Abdul Aleem during the 16th day of the first session of the 13th National Parliament, presided over by Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal.
MP Aleem had asked whether the ministry has any plan to prevent fake news and disinformation, noting that various challenges are being observed in ensuring the healthy development of media, transparency of information, and responsible journalism in the current digital age.
In response, the minister said the ministry has already adopted various action plans to prevent fake news and disinformation.
The Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) will provide training on AI, narrative creation, policy support on information, and multimedia journalism. Work is ongoing to implement four workshops outside Dhaka and two workshops in Dhaka every month, he added.
Good relations and communication have been established with international media working within the country, and preparations are underway to arrange discussion meetings and seminars with various fact-checking organisations, mainstream media, and other stakeholders.
The minister further said that during the current government’s tenure, the Department of Information has sent 22 photocards and 10 information bulletins on preventing rumours to various national dailies and news portals.
Under section 12 of the Press Council Act 1974, any aggrieved person or institution can file a complaint with the Press Council against a journalist or editor for publishing news that violates journalistic ethics and public interest. Currently, eight complaints are pending with the Press Council, the minister said.
To encourage responsible journalism, the Bangladesh Press Council has recently organised training workshops on preventing media unprofessionalism and presenting objective news in 32 districts across the country, including Dhaka, he added.
