Government has no desire to dominate media: Information Adviser

2026-09-26T09:50:16.634Z

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has remarked that getting into conflict with the media cannot be the path of any democratic government.

He said the government has nothing to gain from conflict with the media. Only autocratic governments do such things. Even if the proposed Cyber Protection Act is passed, the current government will not misuse it like the previous government.

He made these remarks at a discussion titled 'Proposed Cyber Protection Act Amendment and Media Proposals' organised by the Broadcast Journalist Centre (BJC) at the Daily Star Centre in the capital on Saturday, September 26.

The Information Adviser said the Cyber Protection Act is still at the proposed stage and has not been finally passed or implemented. As a result, there is scope to make necessary changes and amendments to the law based on the opinions of media workers and relevant stakeholders.

He said the Awami League government had attempted to dominate the media by holding power alone without elections. The current government has no such intention. This government is being run democratically and wants to come to power in the future by being elected with the people's mandate.

Remarking that this government will not be a Hasina government, the Information Adviser said the government wants to be elected with public support through a fair and democratic process in the days ahead.

Expressing concern over the spread of 'disinformation' online, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said effective legal provisions are necessary to prevent the creation and dissemination of disinformation. Noting that there have been incidents in the past of spreading disinformation and rumours to incite riots, he said he does not consider the proposed 10-year sentence for such crimes excessive.

However, whatever the final form of the law may be, the government will remain most responsible and cautious in applying it, the Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser also said.