Food and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar today spoke as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the new committee of Sylhet Press Club at its Aminur Rashid Chowdhury auditorium. Photo: BSS

SYLHET, Jan 24, 2026 (BSS) -  Food and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar today called upon the mainstream media to play an effective role in curbing rumours spread through social media.

He said in the current era of information technology, print and electronic media are facing big challenges. 

“Especially through social media, 'un-edited' information is often spread, which creates confusion in public mind,” Ali Imam said while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the new committee of Sylhet Press Club at its Aminur Rashid Chowdhury auditorium. 

He said there is no accountability for the information spread through social media that is why mainstream media should maintain their strong presence on digital platforms to provide accurate information to mass people. 

“We need to achieve credibility so that people can go to mainstream portals to verify the authenticity of information after watching breaking news,” he said.

Expressing concern over the standard and ethics of journalism, the food adviser said like other sectors, degradation is being observed in journalism.

It is possible for professional journalists to overcome this crisis through their responsibility, he said, asking journalists to work in the interest of the country and commoners from an impartial perspective.

Chaired by Sylhet Press Club president Muktabis-un-Noor, the event was addressed, among others, by BNP Joint Secretary General (International) Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami Central Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Sylhet Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Mohammad Mohsin Uddin, and former president of Bangladesh Caterers Association in the UK Pasha Khandaker.

The event was moderated by the club's General Secretary Mohammad Sirajul Islam.

Humayun Kabir said, "Independent and neutral media is very important for building a healthy society. However, people are currently being harassed in various ways due to fake news and misinformation.”

Zubair termed journalism as the fourth pillar of the state, saying “If journalists work properly, the country will move forward. Everyone should be vigilant so that fascism does not return.”