Chattogram:State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin today emphasized the dangers of false, politically motivated news, stating that it can fuel instability and harm both the government and the public.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister warned that such instability poses a threat to the nation's economic progress and democratic journey. He called on journalists to focus on publishing objective, fact-based news during his speech as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Measures for the Welfare of Journalists" at the July Revolution Memorial Hall of the Chattogram Press Club.
The event, organized by the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust and the Chattogram Metropolitan Union of Journalists (CMUJ), also featured the distribution of welfare grants to journalists from the greater Chattogram region. Barrister Helal recalled the contributions of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in allocating land for the National and Chattogram Press Clubs and urged for the preservation of a plaque commemorating him, which he claimed had been discarded by "fascist-minded" journalists.
The discussion was also addressed by Kader Gani Chowdhury, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), and Mohammad Abdul Bashir (Bashir Jamal), Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust, among others. CMUJ President Mohammad Shah Nawaz and Chattogram Press Club President Zahidul Karim Kochi were present at the event, which was moderated by CMUJ General Secretary Saleh Noman.
Barrister Helal also commented on the recent garment worker protests in Gazipur, noting that while workers' legitimate demands were considered, some elements posing as protesters were inciting vandalism and anarchy. He stressed the importance of journalists verifying facts before reporting, highlighting the economic significance of the ready-made garment sector to Bangladesh. He urged the media, government, and organizations to fulfill their responsibilities in maintaining stability and supporting the country's economic and democratic development.