Hasan urges all to remain alert about misuse of information flow

Urging all to remain alert so that none can destabilise the society abusing information flow, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ensured the free flow of information in the country.

"Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina herself and her government believe in the free flow of information. Flow of information ensures the right of access to the information. And it integrates democracy, multidimensional society and democratic state systems," he said.

The minister was addressing a discussion organised by the Information Commission marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information 2023 at its auditorium in city's Agargaon.

The theme of the year is 'The importance of the online space for access to information'.

Dr Hasan said the present government has passed the right to information act and the country has turned into 'Digital Bangladesh'. This is the reality, he added.

About the application of right to information to prevent price hike of essentials by syndicate, the minister said journalists know that who are behind the syndicate. The price of goods increases unnecessarily from time to time to earn extra profits, he added.

He said these issues will have to be published more widely in the mass media, and then no one can do this.

About non-government organisations (NGO), the information minister said some NGOs give knowledge to the nation from time to time. But it is necessary to know from where and how much funds they get.

He said it is not appropriate to go to the government office only to get information through debt or other means and bring it to the media only to make the government questionable.

About the civil society, Dr Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said the society plays a pivotal role. But it is also necessary to know that whose interests are being protected by those who collect money from various sources, whether they are protecting the interests of the nation or those from whom they are receiving money and donations, he continued.

He said the social platforms have been expanded in the last one decade and the whole canvas of the globe has been changed. The habit of people has also changed, he said, adding that about more than eight crore people are using social media in the country.

He said the social platform has also a negative side as it creates instability in the state and society through spreading rumour, fake news and intentional news.

He said the main discussion in the last Asia Media Summit was combating social instability through social media. A survey of the European Union showed that 75 percent people think that rumour is being spread through social platforms and in this perspective democracy becomes weak, he continued.

Former Chief Information Commissioner and Awami League international affairs committee chairman Mohammad Jamir and Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker, addressed the meeting as special guests with Chief Information Commissioner Dr Abdul Malek in the chair.

Information Commissioners Shahidul Alam Jhinuk and Masuda Bhatti, among others, addressed the meeting while former chief information commissioner Mortuza Ahmed and information commissioners, senior officials of the information ministry and the commission, among others, were present.