|| Syed Akhter Siraji: Prime Minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly has urged media organisations to strengthen fact-checking mechanisms and raise public awareness to counter the growing spread of misinformation, rumours and disinformation.He made the call while speaking at a ‘Meet the Reporters’ programme organised by the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital today.Shibly said false information, propaganda and rumours circulated through social media and unregistered online news outlets were increasingly posing a threat to social stability.“Media outlets should verify information through proper fact-checking before presenting it to the public,” he said, stressing the need for greater responsibility in journalism.He suggested that television channels could introduce 10-to-15-minute fact-checking programmes every day, allowing viewers to check the authenticity of information they come across during the day.According to Shibly, such regular programmes would help people distinguish facts from falsehoods and discourage individuals and groups involved in spreading misleading information.‘Media freedom does not mean publishing anything’Speaking about media freedom, the Press Secretary said the government supports freedom of newspapers and other media outlets.However, he noted that freedom of expression comes with legal and professional responsibilities.“Freedom does not mean publishing anything,” he said, adding that the limits of media freedom should ultimately be determined by the courts in accordance with existing laws and regulations.Shibly also called upon media organisations to ensure social and economic security, as well as due respect, for their employees, saying journalists and other media workers should receive appropriate protection and dignity in their workplaces.Government initiativesThe Press Secretary said the government was working for the welfare of all citizens and highlighted various initiatives, including the Farmer Card and Family Card programmes.He said agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, had been waived after the government took office, benefiting more than 12 lakh farmers.Measles vaccinationAddressing the recent measles outbreak, Shibly said vaccine shortages emerged after a large number of children remained outside routine vaccination coverage for several years.He said emergency vaccination programmes were launched in 35 districts in April, followed by a nationwide campaign in May and June.With assistance from UNICEF, the nationwide campaign covered more than one crore children, he said.Why ‘Honourable’ was dropped from routine filesShibly also explained the government's decision to discontinue the use of the word “Honourable” before the names of the President and Prime Minister in routine government files.He said showing respect to the offices of the President and Prime Minister was part of Bangladeshi culture. However, using the term in hundreds of files submitted daily for routine signatures was not considered logical.As a result, instructions have been issued to discontinue the practice in such official documents, he said.DRU President Abu Saleh Akon, Vice-President Mehedi Azad Masum and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel, along with other leaders of the organisation and journalists from different media outlets, attended the programme.