Photo: Collected

CHATTOGRAM, June 5, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed that the media will remain free and carry out their activities as per their choice.

In a sovereign and independent nation, the media is free to express itself as it sees fit, he remarked. "But, we encourage you to deliver objective news. If you fail to do so, just as the public may lose faith in you, they may also lose faith in us," the state minister added. 

Yasser Khan made the comments while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the Chittagong Metropolitan Journalists Union (CMUJ) office at the Chattogram Press Club Bhaban this afternoon. 

The event was held at the July Smriti Memorial Hall of the Chattogram Press Club with CMUJ President Mohammad Shahnawaz in the chair. State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin inaugurated the event. Alhaj Abu Sufian, MP, and BFUJ President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen also spoke at the event as special guests.

Yasser Khan said that the information and broadcasting ministry is addressing the issues of disinformation and misinformation. "Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is currently being utilized to propagate disinformation across various sectors. AI possesses both positive and negative aspects. The disinformation and false narratives generated through the creation of diverse images and videos using AI are being employed to tarnish reputations of individuals,” he said. 
 
“This has raised global alarm," he remarked. Considering the situation, he said discussions have been held with ambassadors from different nations and they have also informed global leaders that those who spread news via both registered and unregistered media, as well as social media, should receive training regarding the advantages and disadvantages of AI. 

The State Minister for Information indicated that training sessions for various journalists from the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) have been organized. 

"We are conducting training for journalists in different districts and upazilas in phases. If we are unable to complete this training within this year, the remaining sessions will be conducted next year,” he said.  

He emphasized that the government will advocate for the rights of journalists in Chattogram, similar to the rest of the nation. 

He said, “The Editors' Council has requested the Prime Minister to settle their outstanding payments, which were not paid by the previous government. In response to that request, I have initiated the process to clear their dues. However, I have also insisted that our journalist colleagues should not have any outstanding salary payments. They must receive their salaries punctually every month.”

Yasser Khan said that there was no control on the spread of news in the media under the current government. "Previously, the Awami League government did not allow press freedom, but the present government is striving to guarantee media freedom. I did not refer to other ministries. The condition of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting over the past 17 years was quite disgraceful and distressing,” he added.  

At the inaugural function, State Minister for Land and Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin expressed that the government is open to objective criticism at various levels and is taking appropriate measures. 

“The cooperation of all is essential for the effective governance of the country. Only through constructive criticism can we recognize our errors,” he added.
He emphasized the significant role of journalists in society, saying, "To advance Bangladesh, we must collaborate with everyone except for criminals. Objective journalism can effectively highlight and address the issues within the community." 

Moderated by CMUJ General Secretary Saleh Noman, the event was addressed by Dainik Azadi Editor MA Malek, People's View Editor Osman Gani Mansur, CDA Chairman Engineer Nurul Karim, CWASA Managing Director Engineer Jane Alam Selim, Press Club President Zahidul Karim Kochi, General Secretary Golam Maula Murad, senior journalists Mostafa Nayem, Aminul Islam, Meah Mohammad Arif, Sohag Kumar Biswas, National Hospital Director Dr. Abu Naser and Chattogram District BAR Association President Advocate Tarek Ahmed, among others.