Yasser urges journalists to help prevent misinformation

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury today urged journalists to be more aware and responsible in preventing misinformation, rumours and misleading artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content circulating on social media.

"Journalists must certainly highlight any mistakes or shortcomings of the government. But this should not be done through propaganda or misinformation. Training initiatives have been taken across the country to enhance journalists' skills in AI, fact-checking and misinformation," he said.

The state minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at a certificate distribution ceremony after a three-day training workshop on multimedia journalism, fact-checking and artificial intelligence (AI) for journalists at Asaduzzaman Khan Auditorium in Hossainpur Upazila in the district this afternoon.

Yasser said, "This training is not merely about providing journalists with a certificate. Our main objective is to develop their skills in fact-checking, disinformation and misinformation. Journalists have an important role to play in stopping the spread of misinformation."

He further said there is no popular or well-known figure in Bangladesh who has not been subjected to propaganda on social media.

"Our mothers and sisters are also being humiliated through misinformation and impersonation. This is tantamount to a violation of human rights," the state minister said.

About manipulating the identity of journalists in spreading misinformation, he said many people, without being journalists, are identifying themselves as journalists and spreading rumours and false information.

"In addition, some people are using AI to distort people's photographs, create videos and circulate them on social media. This is also tarnishing the reputation of genuine journalists," Yasser said, adding, the government is creating opportunities for genuine journalists to undergo a two-year master's course, AI-based journalism training and other capacity-building programmes.

"Lists of genuine journalists will be collected through press clubs. Subsequently, they will be brought under training programmes in phases," he said.

Noting that various forms of assistance are being provided for the welfare of journalists through the Journalist Welfare Trust, the state minister said, an application has been submitted to the Prime Minister for increasing support for journalists while the process has already started at the Ministry of Finance in this regard.

Noting that such training programmes for journalists have been arranged in Mymensingh pision, Bogura, Feni and different districts around Dhaka in the first phase, Yasser said the programme will gradually be expanded to all parts of the country.

On the country's development, he said, "We do not want to give false or untrue assurances that we will turn Bangladesh into Singapore within the next five years. We do not make such false promises. But we are working with the goal of taking Bangladesh to a better and more beautiful place."

Stating that Bangladesh belongs to everyone, the state minister said politicians, government officials and employees, journalists and all others have responsibilities towards the country.

"Journalists present the voice of the people and they also highlight the mistakes and shortcomings of the government. But this must be done through fact-based and responsible journalism," he said.

About freedom of the press, Yasser said, "The freedom that currently prevails in the media under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will continue."

Calling upon journalists to play their role in the interest of the state and democracy, he said, "You have to remain vigilant so that the fascism that made the state fragile and weakened Bangladesh's economy over the past 17 years cannot rise again and democracy can continue."

Regarding development in Hossainpur and different upazilas of Kishoreganj, the state minister said government development programmes would be implemented in phases.

As the minister in charge of the district, he also assured the local people that he would remain beside them. 

Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) Director General Faruk Wasif, Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Mukit Sarker and Hossainpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rexona Khatun were present in the event, among others.