He made these remarks on Saturday (July 25) during a panel discussion at the "Bengal Delta Conference-2026," organized by the Dhaka Institute of Research and Analytics (DIRA) at a hotel in the capital.
Participating in a session titled, "Does South Asian Media Face Similar Threats in Different Forms?", the Information Minister emphasized that while a journalist's personal observations and analytical skills are important, ensuring the accuracy and objectivity of information in news reporting remains paramount.
He noted that the media landscape in South Asian nations, including Bangladesh, confronts largely similar challenges. In the current technology-driven era, combating fake news and misinformation while delivering verified, accurate information to the public stands as one of the primary responsibilities of the press.
Zahir Uddin Swapan further added that there is no single, universally accepted definition of journalism, and differences of opinion on various societal issues are natural. However, the duty of a responsible journalist is to rise above personal views or emotions and present the truth based strictly on factual evidence and data.
The panel discussion also featured Kanak Mani Dixit, Founding Editor of Himal Southasian; Shafiqul Alam, former Press Secretary and Editor of Wada newspaper; and Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Editor of The Hindu. The session was moderated by Nazmul Ahasan, Executive Editor of Netra News.
