Misinformation and rumours pose a major threat to the future of journalism, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary A A M Saleh Shibly has said.
He made the remarks at a reception for new members of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Friday afternoon.
Shibly said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had recently been the biggest target of misinformation and rumours.
“Since the formation of the government, 1,158 pieces of misinformation about the BNP and 410 about the Prime Minister have been circulated. Journalists can play an effective role in preventing misinformation if they wish,” he said.
He suggested that every media outlet could introduce a fact-checking programme so that people could learn about rumours and misinformation on a daily basis.
At the event, 40 journalists working for different media outlets were granted membership of the DRU’s 2026-27 executive committee.
Shibly welcomed the new members and urged them to perform their duties with dedication while upholding the organisation’s history and traditions.
-MT