Govt to fix education of journalists, prepare a database: Info minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said the government will fix the minimum educational qualification of a professional journalist and make their online database.

The decision was taken to improve professional standards, ensure recognition of genuine journalists and curb fake journalism, he told the House today (19 April).

The minister said this while replying to a written question tabled by Jamaat-e-Islami member Abdul Alim (Bagerhat-4).

The minister said the Bangladesh Press Council has taken the initiative in the context of the era of free information flow.

To combat misinformation and propaganda, he said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has already adopted several action plans.

Journalists would get training through the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) on AI, narrative building, information policy support and multimedia journalism, he said.

The minister said that six workshops are being conducted every month- four outside Dhaka and two inside Dhaka- while at least one monthly workshop is being held involving leaders of journalist organisations.

Swapon said communication and cooperation have been strengthened with international media operating in the country.

Preparations are underway to organise discussions and seminars involving fact-checking organisations, mainstream media, and other stakeholders to address fake news and misinformation, he said. 

He further informed that 22 photocards and 10 information bulletins on rumour prevention have been distributed by the Press Information Department to national dailies and online news portals for publication.

The minister noted that under the Press Council Act, any aggrieved individual or organisation can file complaints against journalists or editors for publishing content that violates journalistic ethics or public decency. 

Currently, eight complaints are pending with the Press Council, he added.

The minister also said that the press council has recently organised training workshops in 32 districts, including Dhaka, involving journalists from print and electronic media to prevent malpractice in journalism and promote objective reporting.

Replying to another starred question in the House from ruling party member Mohammad Ali Ashraf (Khulna-5), the minister said steps have been taken to ensure freedom of the press and improve the welfare of journalists.

He added that efforts are going on to amend the Press Council Act, originally enacted in 1974, to make it more time-befitting and transform the Press Council into a stronger, effective and media-friendly institution.

Swapon also highlighted the ongoing support provided through the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust. 

He said financial assistance has been provided to the journalists who are physically or mentally ill, unable to work, or facing financial hardship, as well as to families of the deceased journalists.

He said that until the March 2025-2026 fiscal year, a total of 1,110 sick, insolvent and injured journalists, along with families of deceased journalists, have received financial aid.

Additionally, scholarships amounting to Tk73.26 lakh have been awarded to 402 meritorious children of journalists.

He said iftar and Eid gifts worth more than Tk1.2 crore (one crore and 12 lakh) were distributed among 2,000 journalist families during Ramadan this year.