COX'S BAZAR, July 3: Syed Abdal Ahmed, Principal Information Officer of the Press Information Department (PID) under the Ministry of Information, on Friday expressed optimism that Cox's Bazar would emerge as a more developed city if a proposed road link connecting Bangladesh and China through Myanmar becomes operational.
Speaking at a workshop titled "Role of the Media in Implementing the Election Manifesto" in Cox's Bazar, he said the proposed route would strengthen regional connectivity and create new opportunities for the coastal district.
Referring to Honourable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China, Abdal Ahmed said he hoped the Bangladesh-China road link would be launched soon.
He also stressed the need for responsible journalism to counter misinformation and rumours.
"If journalists can uphold truthful and accurate reporting, misinformation and rumours will not prevail," he said.
Abdal Ahmed said the Department of Information now holds weekly briefings on government activities, while ministers regularly brief the media on the work of their respective ministries.
"The government believes in the free flow of information and accountability," he said.
The workshop was inaugurated by Abdal Ahmed as the chief guest. Senior Information Officer Md Moniruzzaman Khan delivered the welcome address.
Deputy Principal Information Officer Hasina Akter said public relations officials play a vital role in communicating government policies, decisions and development activities to the public.
Another Deputy Chief Information Officer, Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, said misinformation circulating on social media without proper verification was creating public confusion and could undermine social stability and communal harmony.
During the open discussion, journalists called for easier access to official information, regular training programmes and closer coordination with field-level reporters.
In his closing remarks, Abdal Ahmed said there was no alternative to responsible, fact-based and objective journalism in conveying government development activities to the public. He said cooperation between the government and journalists had strengthened and stressed the importance of involving grassroots journalists in highlighting development initiatives.
The workshop was attended by Mahbubur Rahman, President of the Cox's Bazar Press Club; Mamtaz Uddin Bahari, its General Secretary; Nurul Islam Helaly, President of the Cox's Bazar Journalists' Union; along with journalists from print and electronic media and officials of the Department of Information.
