Criticizing the media for not reporting the truth, Hussain said, “When the media fails to report honestly, the country deteriorates,” and argued that the current situation involving the police could have been avoided if the media had reported the events accurately.

Dhaka: The interim government of Bangladesh has sent a stern warning to all media channels last Sunday. He stressed that any kind of misleading or fake news may lead to closure of the concerned outlet to prevent the spread of misinformation.

“When the media does not pursue the truth, a nation falters,” said Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, Adviser on Home Affairs to the interim government, during a visit to injured policemen at the Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital. He warned that media outlets would be shut down if they spread misleading news, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

Criticizing the media for not reporting the truth, Hussain said, “When the media fails to report honestly, the country deteriorates,” and argued that the current situation involving the police could have been avoided if the media had reported the events accurately.

“The media often ignores the truth… talk shows lack substantive discussion and the media fails to provide accurate information,” he said.

Meanwhile, Post, Telecom and Information Technology Advisor Nahid Islam said that action will be taken against the authorities involved in shutting down the internet during the recent student agitation.

Bangladesh Interim Government Warning to Media

Talking to reporters on his first day of joining his office at the Secretariat on Sunday, Nahid stressed that those responsible for the internet shutdown during the agitation would face consequences, Daily Star newspaper reported. He said that internet access is a right and its disruption or shutdown is a violation of human rights. Indiscriminate internet shutdowns will no longer be tolerated, asserted Nahid.

During the recent protests against the Hasina government, there were frequent internet shutdowns in Bangladesh. To fulfill the aspirations of the younger generation, the Information and Communication Technology Department is planning to involve the youth, said Nahid.

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Mainul Islam said at least 42 members of the police force were killed and many injured in clashes during the recent mass student protests in Bangladesh that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

More than 500 police personnel were injured and are undergoing treatment in hospitals, the Daily Star newspaper said. More than two dozen police personnel are still undergoing treatment, Islam added.

(with input from agencies)