Govt, Media Will Work Together to Tackle Crisis: Hasan

Government and media will operate closely to address the current coronavirus epidemic, Minister of Information Hasan Mahmud says.

"Government and media will work closely to address the coronavirus epidemic ... Around the same time today we addressed the internal issues of the media that resulted from the latest crisis," he told media during a Monday (March 30) meeting with media owners and editors.

Hasan, also the joint general secretary of the Awami League, said many rumors are being disseminated about the COVID-19 in the region, while some online news portals are causing confusion among citizens by releasing fake news items.

Noting that the mass media in the world play a critical position against misinformation, he said, "The government is taking steps against the producers of rumours. Throughout this purpose, we have been finding support from the mass media.

“This time, people should not be panicked but they should be made aware (of coronavirus). Today, we discussed what the government should do at this moment. We have decided to work together,” he added.

The information minister said various problems have been created in newspapers and television channels during the ongoing crisis period, while circulations of many newspapers drastically declined.

Newspaper workers and hawkers are in danger now, and the television networks are still experiencing the same problem, he added, adding that they addressed these problems at the meeting today.

Source: BSS