Staff Reporter:
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday urged the United Nations (UN) for an effective
mechanism to fight disinformation and support media maintaining ethical standards.
The Chief Adviser made the call when Susan Vize, Head of Office and UNESCO Representative to
Bangladesh, and Mehdi Benchelah, Senior Project Officer, Freedom of Expression and Safety of
Journalists Section, UNESCO, called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna here.
The UNESCO officials met the Chief Adviser ahead of the launching of a report titled "An Assessment of
Bangladesh's Media Landscape: Focusing on Free, Independent and Pluralistic Media", jointly prepared
by UNDP and UNESCO.
"We are really looking forward to the report," said the Chief Adviser.
"Our main problem is disinformation, fake news… Some of this disinformation is spread by people living
outside; some local people are involved. It's a continuous bombardment," he added.
Mentioning that regular media are also a source of much disinformation alongside digital platforms, the
Chief Adviser sought a UN role in the fight against it and said, "You just don't talk with the government;
you also talk with media."
He stated that independent regulation is necessary, adding that if a media outlet continues to spread
disinformation, the outlet should be reminded that it is not trustworthy.
"You are the UN. Your words are very important… We need your support," he said.
