Dhaka: Prime Minister's Office Prime Minister's Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman has called for an end to what he described as 'bad journalism' carried out in the competition for online views. He made the call at a press conference held at the Prime Minister's Office to inform the public about the people-oriented initiatives undertaken by the premier surrounding Eid-ul-Azha.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Ruman expressed that the country's media outlets operate with complete freedom, as evidenced by television screens and newspaper pages. However, he highlighted that some online platforms are engaging in practices such as creating photo cards based on imagination and spreading edited statements and videos under the guise of reels. These actions, he noted, sometimes send misleading messages and create opportunities for social disorder. Ruman urged media outlets to cease such practices pursued in the race for views.
Ruman emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring good governance and enabling citizens to live peacefully. He noted that while people across the country enjoyed their Eid holidays, the Prime Minister continued working without taking a holiday. Ruman mentioned that the Prime Minister's team, including himself, worked during the Eid vacation days, even on Eid day itself.
The additional press secretary also detailed that on the day after Eid, the Prime Minister personally drove around Dhaka to inspect the management of sacrificial waste, assessing where cleaning had been completed and where it had not. Immediate action was taken wherever mismanagement was found, and those responsible were held accountable, he added. Ruman stated that the Prime Minister works approximately 12 to 13 hours daily, sometimes extending up to 16 hours.
He also noted that Tarique Rahman celebrated Eid-ul-Azha in the country after an extended period. Despite the joy of Eid, there was a sense of emptiness as memories associated with former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia surfaced during the festivities, he mentioned. The press conference was attended by PMO spokesperson and adviser Mahdi Amin, Speech Writer Mahfuzur Rahman, Deputy Press Secretaries Jahidul Islam Rony and Md. Suzauddhowla, and Assistant Press Secretaries Md. Nazmul Haque Khan and Abdullah Al Mahmud Shahriar.