Newly appointed Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, has said that as people become increasingly election-oriented, efforts are being made to create a climate of fear around the polls.
She said the attacks are intended to intimidate the public, adding that the government, together with the people, will respond to such despicable, cowardly, and conspiratorial acts.
The adviser made the comments while responding to journalists’ questions on law and order issues, including the shooting of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha and a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency.
She was speaking after an exchange of views with ministry officials and heads of subordinate departments and agencies at the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan said it would not be correct to say that no work has been done on the Media Reform Commission’s report, though she acknowledged that the outcome has yet to come to light. She said she would prioritise work on three bodies—the Broadcasting Commission, the Press Council, and an Independent Media Commission.
During the meeting, the information adviser also said the media must present truthful and verified information to counter propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation during the election period.
She stressed the need for vigilance to ensure that misleading information does not affect the election or the democratic process.
She said the government expects an independent, strong, and accountable media. While the flow of information will remain unrestricted, it must be objective and responsible. The government’s aim, she said, is not to control the media but to ensure it plays a supportive role in democratic transition through accurate reporting.
The adviser added that the media have already made a significant contribution to democratic practice, but this role needs to be more professional and responsible. She particularly emphasised caution, ethics, and professionalism in the use of social media.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the government will stand by accurate information and provide necessary support to the media. A credible media system, she said, must be built on three pillars—freedom, accountability, and justice.
Following the resignation of advisers Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud on December 11, the Advisory Council Secretariat redistributed responsibilities by assigning additional duties to three current advisers to fill vacancies in three ministries.
