ZCZC
BSS-39
AL-WEBINAR-EPISODE-11
AL leaders for robust role of media to thwart rumours
DHAKA, July 15, 2020 (BSS) – Speakers here in a webinar said that the mainstream media can play a strong role in thwarting rumours amid the coronavirus pandemic and provide accurate information to the people so that they cannot be confused about anything.
They were participating in the 11th episode of Bangladesh Awami League’s special webinar titled ‘Beyond the Pandemic’ held on Tuesday.
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Barrister Shah Ali Farhad moderated the 11th episode titled ‘Correct Flow of Information to Address the Corona Crisis’, said a release.
Information Minister and Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak, former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Suchinta Foundation Chairman Prof Mohammad A Arafat, Ekattor Television’s Current Affairs Editor Mithila Farzana and Bangladesh Chhatra League General Secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee took part in the webinar as discussants.
Taking part in the discussion, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said, “Our effort was to present the correct information to the people under the slogan ‘Amar Surokkha, Amar Hatey’ in the pandemic.”
Attempts have been made to reach out the public through newspapers and television so that they can protect themselves, he, said, adding that awareness campaigns and accurate information against rumors have been disseminated properly.
Considering the troubles of the working and jobless people, he said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had started a massive relief programme during lockdown, which is still going on.
About 7 crore people have so far received government food aid, he said, adding that at the same time, the Awami League has provided relief to about 1.25 crore families.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak said everyone in the world is facing two epidemics at this time, one is the corona virus epidemic and another is the epidemic of false propaganda.
The government of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also had to deal with these two crises along with a cyclone called ‘Amphan’, he added.
“We created a website at the beginning of the crisis to make people aware of the corona crisis and to provide detailed information on which areas are at risk, public prescriptions and the number of hospitals in any area,” Palak said.
Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said accurate information plays the role of enlightening in society.
In this age of misinformation, objective information can lead us to the path of the right way, he said, adding that common people rely on the media to get accurate information and if the information is provided directly to the media from the source of the information then the misconception is reduced.
Prof Mohammad A Arafat said the anti-liberation forces have always been active in creating and spreading rumors among the people.
“Now in a new way they try to use social media and in some cases mass media,” he added.
He said that the mainstream media has played a commendable role in countering these evil forces and their false information flows.
BSS/PR/BKD/SRH/RY/1855 hrs