Principal Information Officer (PIO) Syed Abdal Ahmad today spoke after inaugurated a workshop at a hotel in Cox's Bazar. Photo : BSS

COX'S BAZAR, July 3, 2026 (BSS) - Principal Information Officer (PIO) Syed Abdal Ahmad today said disinformation, rumors and propaganda are now among the biggest challenges to independent journalism.

"To counter these challenges, the practice of honest, responsible and objective journalism must be further strengthened," he said while inaugurating a workshop titled 'The Role of Media Professionals in Implementing the Current Government's Electoral Manifesto and Development Vision' as the chief guest. 

The Department of Information organized the workshop at a hotel in Cox's Bazar. 

The principal information officer said, "There is no alternative to responsible, fact-based, and objective journalism to accurately project the government's development activities to the public."

Cox's Bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman, General Secretary Momtaz Uddin Bahari, President of Cox's Bazar Journalists' Union Nurul Islam Helali, along with journalists from print and electronic media and officials from the Department of Information also spoke at the workshop.

A total of 25 local journalists working in print and electronic media, along with officers and employees of the Department of Information, participated in the programme. 

Journalists participating in the open discussion emphasized making information flow easier, arranging regular training, and increasing coordination with field-level journalists.