Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said journalists must ensure the objectivity of information to maintain professionalism, arguing that neutral work based on facts and data should be the central principle of professional journalism. He made the remarks on July 25 at a Bengal Delta Conference 2026 panel discussion at Hotel InterContinental in the capital.

Swapan said journalism serves as a mirror of society in line with public expectations, and journalists should not become activists. Without proper information and data, a claim is not news but may only be opinion, he said. Speakers at the panel said pressure and challenges facing media differ across South Asian countries, though their effects are often similar, and stressed the need for independent, responsible and professional journalism.

The minister also described protecting people from false, disinformation and misleading information while ensuring freedom of expression as a major challenge. Later, as chief guest at the Global Conference on AI Leadership at the capital's Sonargaon Hotel, he said Bangladesh must keep pace with rapid technological change. He called for effective use of artificial intelligence to improve efficiency in the state, industry and service sectors, and to support innovation, productivity and good governance.