Journalists urged to prioritise verification amid spread of misinformation online
Information Secretary Calls for Stronger Investigative Reporting
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana has urged journalists to strengthen investigative reporting to counter misinformation, rumours and false narratives circulating across social media platforms. She emphasised verification, deeper reporting and fact-based journalism.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana has stressed the importance of investigative journalism in identifying facts amid the growing spread of misinformation, rumours and false information across social media platforms.
Speaking as chief guest at the “BSRF Fruit Festival” organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat Media Centre on Sunday (28 June), she urged journalists to go beyond surface reporting and uncover deeper realities behind news events.
The programme was chaired by BSRF President Masudul Haque and moderated by General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal. The event was attended by Additional Secretary (Broadcast) Md Shah Alam and Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed.
Mahbuba Farzana said social media platforms, including Facebook, are increasingly becoming channels for misinformation and unverified narratives. In such a context, journalists need to play a more active role in publishing verified and evidence-based reports.
She said, “Investigative journalism has declined compared with the past. We want the story behind the story—and beyond.”
According to her, journalism in a high-speed information environment should place greater emphasis on verification, multiple sourcing and contextual reporting.
Describing journalism as an important public-interest profession, she said institutions and the state should remain supportive of those committed to the profession.
She added that ministry officials have been instructed to maintain cooperative engagement with journalists.
Referring to growing interest among young people in journalism, she said the next generation should focus on factual and objective reporting.
Commenting on recent reports related to the ministry, she said some published content contained misinformation and encouraged journalists to verify information directly with relevant ministry desks where necessary.
She also invited journalists to communicate directly with her office or through journalist representatives regarding professional concerns.
//DBTech/BN/EK//
