Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, MP, has emphasized that free and independent media is one of the key commitments of the present government in building a modern and democratic state. ‘The current government is determined to ensure the free flow of information and come out of the culture of suppressing media which gained ground during the previous government,’ he stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made these remarks while addressing a seminar titled ‘New Challenges of Media: Misinformation- Our Course of Action,’ organized in observance of World Press Freedom Day 2026 at the National Press Club. The event was a collaborative effort between the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).
Minister Swapon highlighted the opportunity to rebuild the state following the August 5, 2024, elections. He noted that the culture of vote rigging has been eliminated, and a parliament elected by the people’s mandate has been established. This shift has restored democratic and constitutional processes, creating new avenues for political discourse.
Stressing the role of media as the fourth pillar of the state, Swapon reiterated the necessity of a free media for a civilized nation. He pointed out that while the free flow of information is no longer the primary obstacle, the distortion of truth by adding personal bias poses a significant challenge. ‘We must confront attempts to mislead people by presenting information in distorted forms,’ he asserted. He further emphasized that just as oxygen is vital for human survival, information is crucial for democracy. However, he warned that polluted information can be detrimental to society.
The seminar, chaired by DUJ President Md. Shahidul Islam, featured addresses by BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury and former DUJ President and editor of Jugantor, poet Abdul Hye Sikder. Chowdhury remarked that misinformation has evolved into a severe social and political crisis, with ‘information terrorism’ rampant on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, undermining people’s dignity and rights.
Expressing concerns over the disorder in information, Chowdhury called for measures to address the crisis fueled by uncontrolled social media. Poet Abdul Hye Sikder urged the government to revive defunct newspapers such as Dainik Bangla, Weekly Bichitra, and The Times, which once served as hubs for the country’s top journalists. He suggested that reviving these publications could provide employment to thousands of journalists and bring qualitative changes to the newspaper industry.
Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed delivered the keynote paper at the seminar. The event also featured speeches by former DUJ President Elahi Newaz Khan Saju, Head of News at Banglavision Dr. Abdul Hai Siddiqui, and Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Mohammad Abdul Bashir. DUJ General Secretary Khurshid Alam moderated the seminar, which was attended by other notable figures such as former President of Dhaka Reporters Unity Mursalin Nomani, DUJ Joint Secretary Didarul Alam, and Organizing Secretary Hafiz Al Asad (Saeed Khan). Journalist leaders at the seminar urged the government to ensure cyber security and professional safety to enable journalists to work freely.