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Protect mass media from distortion: Inu

UNB, Dhaka
Terming mass media a "mirror of democracy", Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu yesterday said it needs to be protected from "the wave of falsehood, distorted information and rumor" to ensure the media's due role towards the country and in strengthening democracy.
He said the mass media must remain transparent and active to play its due role maintaining objectivity and accountability towards the country, its security and to help implement the country's vision.
"You (journalists) must remain neutral...but, in the name of neutrality, you can't take the side of falsehood, rumor, Pakistan, militancy and military dictatorship," said the information minister.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the annual conference of the UNB (United News of Bangladesh) district FROM PAGE 5
correspondents at its conference room.
Former adviser to a caretaker government and former editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam and former bureau chief of Associated Press (AP) Farid Hossain also spoke at the session, chaired by UNB Chairman Amanullah Khan.
The minister said the mass media has a historic accountability and role to help the country overcome many challenges it now faces as the country is gradually moving towards a liberal democracy free from communalism and discrimination.
"We need to do two tasks together -strengthening democracy by making politics clean, uprooting corruption and making media vibrant and transparent. Democracy can't flourish without vibrant and transparent media," he said.
Reminding the unbiased role of media, Inu said the mass media does not have any scope to make mistakes as it has a very important role in protecting democracy apart from ensuring a healthy, clean democratic practice.
"Information is not a product," he said, adding that information needs to be disseminated with accountability.
Inu urged journalists to focus on three vital issues - agriculture, readymade garment (RMG) and remittance earners - while filing their reports. "You need to come up with success stories of these sectors. At the same time, you need to dig out the conspiracies, if any, in these sectors that might hold back their growth," he said.
Speaking as special guest, Mahbubul Alam also laid emphasis on neutrality and objectivity while filing reports. "Personal opinion and belief should not be reflected in your news stories," he told the UNB district correspondents.
UNB Chairman Amanullah Khan emphasised proper verification of information and cross-check to maintain authenticity of the contents of news and reports.
UNB Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Enayetullah Khan briefly talked about the history of UNB which was set up in 1988 as the first fully computerised wire service in the private sector in South Asia with AP.
He touched upon the technological revolution and massive media expansion in the country and rapid changes in the traditional media which is being gradually dominated by mobile technology with increased mobile phone penetration.