North South University (NSU) organised a dialogue titled “Media Reporting in the Age of Misinformation and Disinformation” today, bringing together representatives from academia, journalism, media, and civil society to discuss the growing challenges facing contemporary information ecosystems, a press release said.
The program began with a welcome address by Professor Bulbul Siddiqi, who noted that despite the abundance of information today, society is experiencing an increasing scarcity of truth. He emphasised that in an environment shaped by social media, digital platforms, and fast-paced news cycles, misinformation and disinformation are not only spreading confusion but also eroding public trust, deepening social divisions, and undermining the credibility of the media.
Dr S. M. Rezwan Ul Alam offered an in-depth academic analysis of the issue, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen media literacy to rebuild trust between the government and the public. He stressed the importance of inclusive engagement involving the government, citizens, and civil society.
Dr Saiful Haque, Associate Professor in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka, underscored the need for greater commitment to truth-seeking to prevent the spread of false and misleading information. He emphasised the need to enhance digital literacy and called for the establishment of digital forensic laboratories to effectively identify and counter misinformation.
Journalist and analyst Shahed Alam emphasised the need to bridge journalism and activism by embedding ethical journalistic principles within activist practices. He highlighted the importance of fact-checking, including verifying information and images, as a critical tool for combating misinformation.
Special guest Jobayer Babu noted that the media landscape has changed significantly, with many actors misusing media platforms to mislead the public, pushing people to rely more heavily on social media. He stressed the need to counter tampering with video, audio, and footage, as well as AI-generated deceptive content, through expanded fact-checking services, emphasising that the government must play a leading role in this effort.
In his address as the chief guest, Professor Dr Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of North South University, warned that the blending of truth and falsehood in information dissemination poses a serious threat to society. He emphasised the need to develop more skilled professionals to regulate and respond to this challenge, urging universities to take a leading role in preparing such expertise.
