Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Saturday called for confronting autocratic forces through the upcoming national election, saying defeated forces are still active but far weaker than those behind the uprising.
She made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of an election-focused training workshop for journalists at the Sylhet Press Club in the morning. The workshop was organised by the Bangladesh Press Institute (PIB).
Syeda Rizwana urged people to participate spontaneously in the February 12 parliamentary election and referendum, stressing that the current government is determined to hold the polls despite various challenges.
“The defeated forces are still active, but their strength is much weaker than the forces behind the uprising,” she said, adding that democracy must be safeguarded through public participation in elections.
The programme was chaired by PIB Director General Faruk Wasif. Information Secretary Farzana Mahbub, Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam, Sylhet Press Club President Muktabis Un Noor and Sylhet Metropolitan Journalists Union General Secretary Khaled Ahmed spoke as special guests. Sylhet Press Club General Secretary Mohammad Sirajul Islam conducted the event.
In her speech, the Information Secretary said journalists and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting are part of the same family, adding that media professionals will play a crucial role in ensuring a free and fair 13th parliamentary election and referendum.
She urged journalists to counter rumours and misinformation and to uphold truth and justice through responsible and investigative journalism.
Around 50 journalists from Sylhet Press Club and other organisations participated in the workshop.
Under this nationwide programme, 3,800 journalists will receive training across the country on election laws, affidavits, dispute resolution, the code of conduct, field reporting, election coverage, fact-checking, artificial intelligence, safety and security, post-election unrest, and campaign expenditure, officials said.