Media being watched for fake news

The information ministry is monitoring all the print and electronic media as well as online news portals round the clock to see if they are publishing any fake or confusing news, State Minister for Information Murad Hassan told parliament yesterday.

In reply to a supplementary question from ruling Awami League lawmaker Abu Zahir from Habiganj-3, the state minister also said the ministry would take actions if any media published fake or confusing news.

Zahir said some online news portals were spreading propaganda by publishing fake news to malign the government’s image.

He wanted to know about the ministry’s actions in this regard. 

The government is sincere in ensuring the free flow of information, the minister said, responding to another supplementary question from Jatiya Party MP Pir Fazlur Rahman from Sunamganj-4 as to whether the Digital Security Act was creating any obstacles to free and fair journalism.

The government will take necessary measures following discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the information ministry if journalists point out any specific sections of the law that obstructs publication of news, he said.

Answering to another query, the state minister informed the House that in some cases, some online news portals were involved in publishing fake news. The government had taken all measures to bring all online news portals under registration to stop fake and confusing news.