Editors’ Council expresses concern over move to enforce AL-era media law

The Editors’ Council has expressed concern over the fresh initiative of implementing the media workers’ protection law by the interim government.

“This law was formulated during the Awami League government. It has been learned that the interim government is now moving forward to implement the law, keeping many of the previous provisions intact. In this regard, the information and broadcasting ministry has also sought opinions from the Editors’ Council and other organisations,” the Council said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the Council, such trends reflect the mindset of the previous government.

They believe that this kind of repetition serves as a reminder of the previous government’s interference in independent journalism and its unilateral approach.

In its statement, the Council also expressed concern over the police’s claim of an “AI-generated photo.”

Recently, a police officer has pressed a protester’s face during the movement of BUET students. As the photo was later published in various media outlets, the police claimed that it was created using artificial intelligence. However, upon verification, media organisations confirmed that the photo was authentic.

“Regarding the police claim that the photo was AI-generated, we, the members of the Editors’ Council, would like to state that we are fully aware of AI, and whenever we publish any AI-generated photo in our newspapers, we make a clear mention of it,” read the statement.

In another context, the Editors’ Council expressed its support for Dhaka Reporters Unity’s stance against the mob instigators following an event held at the DRU on 28 August.