It is necessary to introduce specific systems/methods for verifying misinformation/fake news in every newsroom. Responsible and trained journalists can do this work. However, technological support should also be in place. To address the shortage of adequate investment in truth verification activities due to the financial crisis in the media, the possibility of arranging a larger and collective initiative within the news industry can be considered. The right of this initiative to work independently must, of course, be ensured.

Year
2025
Reform Domain
Media Media
Sub Domain
Combating Fake/Misinformation
Source of Reform Proposals
Mass Media Reforms Commission
Reform Proposed
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 14-Dec-25
This reform proposal, articulated in the Media Reform Commission Report, was officially initiated.
Reform Initiated
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 04-Apr-26
Very few media outlets and collaborative platforms (e.g., MRDI and Prothom Alo) have established their own fact-checking mechanisms. On 4 April 2026, the Information Minister, Zahir Uddin Swapan, stated at a meeting at the Sathia Press Club in Pabna that the government is considering mandating pre-publication fact-checking across all media outlets, with potential legal action for non-compliance.
Observation
    No government policy or guideline has yet been developed to standardise the fact-checking processes across the sector. Developing this mechanism should be done with detailed, adequate consultation and involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including experts, government officials, media outlets, editors, sub-editors, journalists and users.
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Related Reforms

It is necessary for the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) to conduct annual surveys to verify the expectations and actual experiences of listeners, viewers, and readers regarding the media.
Reform Proposed
a. Eliminating gender discrimination in recruitment, placement, and training to ensure the participation of all genders at all levels of the media; b. Preparing gender-sensitive codes of conduct in each media outlet and establishing systems for providing information, discussion, training, and monitoring for effective implementation of the code of conduct; ensuring infrastructure (e.g., separate toilets, childcare centres) for the smooth participation of all genders; c. Ensuring the utmost caution in the safety and protection of journalists of all genders, prioritising the needs of women; providing transportation arrangements for safe travel; d. Establishing a complaints redress cell in each media office as per the High Court directive on preventing sexual harassment (2009); e. Taking mental health protection measures to cope with various types of pressure in journalism; f. Ensuring that women receive proper maternity leave and do not face any discrimination upon returning to work after leave; g. Formulating clear guidelines and rules for how women will be presented; preparing policies on not publishing or broadcasting stereotypical ideas that create hatred, animosity, or negative attitudes towards women, or hinder their smooth presence in all fields; h. Highlighting the multifaceted roles and participation of women in society; ensuring that the voice and perspective of women are reflected in any news/feature; i. Preparing clear guidelines for language use to avoid direct or indirect humiliation of women through words or descriptions.
Reform Initiated
More research-based knowledge is needed on media literacy’s methods, effectiveness, evaluation, etc.
Reform Proposed
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Glossary

Last Updated: 14th December 2025

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