Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said journalism should be rooted in facts, evidence and impartial reporting rather than personal opinion or activism, warning that misinformation has become one of the greatest challenges facing media organisations across South Asia.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Bengal Delta Conference 2026 in Dhaka on Saturday, the minister said the role of journalists was to present verified information that helps the public understand events accurately.
The conference, organised by the Dacca Institute of Research and Analytics (DAIRA), brought together senior journalists and media professionals from across the region to discuss the changing landscape of South Asian journalism.
Addressing the session, titled 'Does South Asian Media Face the Same Threats in Different Forms?', Swapon said journalists naturally interpret events through their reporting, but maintaining objectivity remains essential to professional journalism.
He argued that countries including Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan are confronting many of the same challenges in their media sectors.
While debates previously centred on freedom of expression, he said the rapid growth of digital platforms and mobile journalism has shifted attention towards combating false information and protecting the public from misleading content.
According to the minister, journalism has become increasingly fragmented as public opinion continues to diversify.
Although individuals may hold different views on the same issue, journalists have a responsibility to set aside their own personal beliefs and present the facts, he said.
Swapon also stressed that journalists should avoid becoming activists and that news reporting must rely on reliable information and verifiable evidence.
“Without data or concrete information, an idea cannot become news,” he said, adding that objective reporting is vital for presenting an accurate picture of society.
The discussion also featured Kanak Mani Dixit, founding editor of Himal South Asian; former chief adviser’s press secretary and Waadaa editor Shafiqul Alam; and The Hindu diplomatic editor Suhasini Haider. Netra News Executive Editor Nazmul Ahsan moderated the session.
Shafiqul Alam said that both society and newsrooms have become increasingly polarised during the digital era, creating new pressures for journalists.
He said traditional methods of controlling the media, such as censorship or newspaper closures, had largely been replaced by more subtle forms of influence, including incentives and privileges that could affect editorial independence.
Alam also observed that text-based journalism continues to decline as audiences increasingly consume video-led digital content.
Suhasini Haider said journalists must clearly distinguish their work from politics and entertainment. She said reporters should neither act as representatives of governments nor as campaigners for particular causes, adding that their primary responsibility is to investigate, analyse and present verified information.
She also expressed concern over the weakening of regional engagement in South Asia, saying that communication and mutual understanding between neighbouring countries had declined in recent years.
Later in the day, Swapon attended the Global Conference on AI Leadership and Flagship Prestige Awards 2026 as chief guest, where he highlighted the growing importance of artificial intelligence in Bangladesh’s technological development.
He said the country should embrace AI to improve productivity and efficiency across different sectors, describing its adoption as essential in an increasingly technology-driven world.
The conference brought together technology specialists, policymakers, researchers and academics from Bangladesh and abroad to discuss artificial intelligence, digital leadership, cybersecurity, governance and international cooperation.
Participants also explored both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, while recognising individuals for their contributions to the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies.
