Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that traditional media, alongside digital platforms, are also contributing to the spread of disinformation, calling on the United Nations to play a stronger role in promoting ethical journalism and combating fake news.

“Some of this disinformation is spread by people living outside; some local people are involved. It’s a continuous bombardment,” the Chief Adviser said, adding, “You just don’t talk with the government; you also talk with media.”

He made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with UNESCO representatives at the State Guest House Jamuna, ahead of the launch of a report titled “An Assessment of Bangladesh’s Media Landscape: Focusing on Free, Independent and Pluralistic Media”, jointly prepared by UNDP and UNESCO.

The Chief Adviser said independent regulation is necessary to hold media accountable and emphasized that outlets consistently spreading disinformation must be called out as untrustworthy. 

“We need your support… Your words are very important,” he told the UN delegation.

UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh Susan Vize and Senior Project Officer Mehdi Benchelah briefed the Chief Adviser on the upcoming report, which includes recommendations on self-regulation, journalist safety, and aligning national practices with international standards.

Susan Vize said that the report that it was launching Thursday would highlight the issue of self-regulation, among other things.

“The report is about what is working, what is not working, and the assessment holds important recommendations aligned with international standards. There would be a need to train officials, law enforcers, and the judiciary to better align their practices with this standard,” she said.

UNESCO Senior Project Officer Mehdi Benchelah said the report would also make some recommendations about journalists’ working conditions, which is a global concern, and the safety of female journalists in newsrooms.

Key government action can have a huge influence in these matters, he said.

The report is prepared under the framework of UNDP’s Strengthening Institutions, Policies and Services (SIPS) project and in alignment with UNESCO’s mandate to promote freedom of expression and media development, said the officials.

MUM/MSK