Yunus calls for UN role to tackle fake news, uphold media ethics

He asks UNESCO officials to go beyond discussions with the government and engage directly with the press

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has called on the United Nations (UN) to take active steps in helping combat disinformation and uphold ethical standards in the media.

Speaking to officials from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Wednesday, Yunus asked them to go beyond discussions with the government and engage directly with the press.

He warned that falsehoods and rumours remain one of Bangladesh’s most pressing challenges.

“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 said.

Mentioning that regular media are also a source of much disinformation alongside digital platforms, Yunus said: "You just don't talk with the government; you also talk with media.”

He said 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.

Yunus made the request in a meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna with Susan Vize, UNESCO’s Bangladesh representative and office head, and Mehdi Benchelah, senior project officer at UNESCO’s Section for Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists.

The UNESCO officials met the interim prime minister ahead of the launch of a report titled "An Assessment of Bangladesh's Media Landscape: Focusing on Free, Independent and Pluralistic Media", jointly prepared by UNDP and UNESCO.

Vize said the report covers a wide range of topics, including the issue of “media self-regulation”.

"The report is about what is working, what is not working, and the assessment holds important recommendations aligned with international standards. There would be a need to train officials, law enforcers, and the judiciary to better align their practices with this standard," she said.

Benchelah added that the report would also make some recommendations about journalists' working conditions, global concerns, and the safety of female journalists in newsrooms.