Poets, journalists, and cultural personalities associated with fascism and those who incited genocide will be brought under the purview of justice, stated Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam.
He made this remark during a press briefing at the secretariat following a meeting with newly appointed members of the Film Censor Board and Jury Board on Wednesday (18 September).
When asked about the murder cases filed against journalists, Nahid Islam clarified that these cases were not initiated by the government but by the public, often due to personal enmities.
He assured that the government has directed a swift review of these cases, ensuring thorough investigations, and those found without valid charges will be acquitted.
However, he emphasised that no one will be exempted merely because they are a journalist, cultural figure, or poet.
"Those who were involved in fascism, worked to legitimise it, swayed public opinion through their writings, supported genocide, or incited violence will undoubtedly be brought to justice," Nahid Islam asserted.
Addressing the issue of widespread rumours on social media, when asked about the ministry's anti-rumour cell, he explained that the ministry is in talks with various stakeholders and media outlets to strengthen fact-checking mechanisms.
"We are considering how to bolster the fact-checking process," he said.
The adviser also revealed plans for establishing a fact-checking cell to verify rumours circulating on social media and ensure that the public is presented with the truth, preventing them from being misled by falsehoods.
Speaking on the newly formed Film Censor Board and Jury Board, he mentioned that the meeting was their first official session.
Nahid Islam further disclosed that although the 2023 Bangladesh Film Certification Law had been gazetted, its regulations had yet to be finalised.
The previous censor board had been constituted based on the 1963 law in the absence of new regulations. To avoid financial harm to the film industry, a temporary censor board had been set up in the interim.
He explained, "As the 2023 law has now been gazetted, we are reviewing it and will replace the term 'censor' in line with everyone’s input. We will reconstitute the certification board promptly through an official notification, in accordance with the 2023 Bangladesh Film Certification Law."
