Dhaka, July 3 (V7N) — Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called on the United Nations to play a more active role in building effective mechanisms to combat disinformation and to support the media in maintaining ethical standards.

He made the call on Wednesday during a courtesy meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna with Ms. Susan Vize, UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh, and Mr. Mehdi Benchelah, Senior Project Officer of UNESCO's Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists division. The meeting was held ahead of the official release of a joint UNDP-UNESCO report titled "Assessment of the Media Landscape in Bangladesh: Towards a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Media", which is scheduled to be published today, according to BSS.

"We are eagerly awaiting the publication of this report," said Dr. Yunus. "Our major challenge lies in tackling disinformation and fake news. Some of it originates from individuals abroad, while others are locally driven. It's not limited to digital platforms alone; at times, even mainstream media becomes a source of false information."

Emphasizing the need for proactive intervention, Dr. Yunus urged the UN to engage not only with the government but also directly with media organizations. "There is a need for an independent regulatory framework. If a media outlet repeatedly disseminates false information, they should be reminded that they are compromising their credibility," he stated.

Ms. Vize noted that the forthcoming report would contain significant recommendations regarding adherence to international standards in news reporting. Mr. Benchelah added that it would also address issues concerning the working conditions of journalists and include specific recommendations on the safety of women journalists.

The joint report aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of Bangladesh’s current media environment, highlight key challenges, and propose actionable strategies to enhance freedom of expression and press safety in line with international norms.

END/V7D/SMA/