Photo: BSS

BAGERHAT, May 14, 2026 (BSS) - A seminar on “Awareness and Fact-Checking to Ensure the Authenticity of Information” organized by Khulna Regional Information Office, PID, was held at Bagerhat Press Club auditorium today. 

The seminar was presided over by Khulna Divisional Deputy Chief Information Officer A.S.M. Kabir. Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md. Baten was present as the chief guest. 
 
Bagerhat District Information Office Deputy Director Muinul Islam, Khulna Regional Information Officer Sharmin Akhter Ruma, Assistant Information Officers Fatema Tuz Zohra and Md. Ramzan Ali, Assistant Director Bishwajit Sikder and Bagerhat Press Club President Abu Saeed Shunu were present as special guests in the seminar. 
 
 Press Club General Secretary Hedayet Hossain Liton, National News Agency BSS District Correspondent Azad Ruhul Amin, Jamuna Television District Correspondent Md. Yamin Ali and Somoy Television:s Ali Akbar Tutul spoke. Khulna Regional Senior Information Officer Md. Mehedi Hasan presented the keynote paper.
 
Speaking as the chief guest, Deputy Commissioner Golam Md. Baten said that in the current era of information technology, information is spreading rapidly through various media, including social media. Much of this information is misleading and rumor-based, creating unrest in the society.

 He said, “We must refrain from spreading or sharing any information without verifying it. Media workers, students and the general public must be more aware to ensure true and reliable information.” 
 
He also said that fact-checking is the demand of the hour. As a responsible citizen, everyone should verify the source of information and play an active role in preventing misinformation. 

He called upon government and private institutions, the media and civil society to work together to prevent information confusion.
 
 In his speech, Khulna Divisional Deputy Chief Information Officer A.S.M. Kabir said that rumors and misinformation have now become a major challenge for social stability and national security. 

He said, “Verifying the truth of information is now not only the responsibility of journalists, but also the moral responsibility of every conscious citizen.” 
 
He also said that it is possible to combat propaganda by increasing the right to information and public awareness. Such seminars will highlight the importance of verifying information among the people and help develop the young generation as responsible digital citizens. 
 
In his speech, the president emphasized the use of reliable sources in verifying information and urged to be careful in using social media. 
 
Fourteen journalists working here for different media were present in this seminar. 

A one-hour slide show on fact-checking of fake news was shown at the event.