Against Coronavirus: Govt, media to work in unison

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud yesterday said the government and the media would work together to cope with the coronavirus crisis.

"The government and the media will work together to tackle the coronavirus crisis…. At the same time, today [yesterday] we discussed the media's internal problems emerging from the current crisis," he told reporters after a meeting with media owners and editors.

Leaders of Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (Noab), the Editors Guild, Bangladesh, the Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) and the Shampadak Parishad took part in the meeting at the minister's Minto Road residence in the city.

Shampadak Parishad President Mahfuz Anam, General Secretary Naem Nizam, ATCO Senior Vice President Mozammel Babu, its member Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Noab President AK Azad and executive members Matiur Rahman and Tarik Sujat were present, among others.

Hasan, also the joint general secretary of the ruling Awami League, said various rumours were being spread in the country over the Covid-19 and some online news portals were creating panic among the people by running fake news.

Noting that the country's mainstream media was playing a vital role against rumours, he said, "The government is taking actions against those circulating rumours. We have sought cooperation from the mainstream media to this end.

"People should not panic, rather they should be made aware of [coronavirus]. Today, we discussed what the government should do at this moment. We have decided to work together."

The minister said various problems have surfaced in newspapers and television channels during the crisis period and the circulation of many newspapers declined drastically.

Hasan said newspaper workers and hawkers were in trouble and the TV channels were also facing the same situation. The problems were discussed in the meeting yesterday, he added.