Dhaka, July 18, 2026 – In a significant briefing held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman issued a stern call to the nation’s media personnel, urging an immediate end to unethical journalism and the dissemination of misinformation. Addressing the press conference, which marked the five-month tenure of the current BNP government, Ruman emphasized that while his administration is deeply committed to upholding the freedom of the press, the integrity of the profession is currently being compromised by certain practitioners.
Highlighting the stark contrast between the current administration and the previous regime, the Additional Press Secretary reflected on the state of the media over the last 17 years. He asserted that the Awami League’s long tenure was characterized by restrictive “black laws” and constant state interference in editorial independence. In contrast, he stated that the BNP government and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman hold a fundamental belief in democratic press freedom, noting that the media has operated under unprecedented independence since the current government assumed power five months ago.
However, the briefing took a critical turn as Ruman highlighted a growing trend of “mobile journalism” that he claims is being used as a veil for malicious reporting. Specifically, he identified instances where journalists were allegedly involved in instigating public unrest. Citing a recent incident involving a student movement in Uttara, he alleged that individuals posing as mobile journalists inflated the number of participants, turning a small gathering of students into what appeared to be a much larger, coordinated protest, thereby misleading the public through biased visual reporting.
The PMO official emphasized that such behaviors are not merely professional lapses but are detrimental to the stability of a nation still in recovery. He reminded the media and the public that the government is currently navigating the complexities left behind by the previous administration, which he described as an era of institutional failure and crippling national debt. He argued that the current government requires both time and objective reporting to restore the infrastructure and agencies that were rendered ineffective under the previous rule, rather than facing premature criticism fueled by misinformation.
The briefing also served as a moment for the administration to reaffirm its relationship with the press. Addressing the assembled journalists directly, Ruman adopted a conciliatory tone, assuring them that the government considers the media partners in nation-building. He insisted that the administration remains committed to standing alongside the journalists, provided that the professional standards of the craft remain untarnished by partisan agendas or deliberate falsehoods that could incite social friction.
The event, which concluded with a presentation on the government’s accomplishments over its initial five-month period, was spearheaded by prominent officials including Prime Minister’s Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin and Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly. By highlighting both the achievements of the first 150 days and the challenges ahead, the administration aimed to set a standard for transparency while drawing a clear line against what it terms the “unethical practices” that currently threaten to undermine the national discourse.
