Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder has dismissed reports of a press conference by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus at Ganabhaban on Monday (July 14) as "completely baseless." Posting on his verified Facebook account, he stated that no such event was scheduled and labeled the circulating reports as "false." Earlier, some media outlets had cited Senior Assistant Press Secretary Fayez Ahmed regarding the alleged press conference, which has now been refuted.

Following a social media post where Israeli journalist Israel Frey expressed jubilation over the deaths of Israeli soldiers in Gaza, Tel Aviv court extended his detention. Frey criticized the military’s actions, stating the world is better off with the death of “five war criminals.” He also urged Israeli mothers to bring their children back from the war. Previously, he had been interrogated multiple times for “inciting terrorism” and described Palestinian resistance as “heroic.” In an interview with Haaretz, Frey declared, “I will not bow to oppression. Free Gaza.”

Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, has announced that the United Nations will oversee an investigation into the state of journalism in Bangladesh over the past 15 years. He stated that the government is committed to ensuring media freedom and is currently not interfering in press activities. Plans are also underway to establish a dedicated commission for journalists and to set a minimum monthly salary of BDT 30,000 for reporters. There have also been calls for defining minimum educational qualifications and a structured wage scale for media professionals.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that if he were a journalist—especially a freelance reporter—he would have eagerly joined the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) in its symbolic Tetulia-to-Teknaf electoral journey. In a Facebook post, he described the campaign as a "new beginning for democracy" and praised the young leaders involved. He urged media professionals to document this journey as a historic event and become active participants in the movement for change.

The Trump administration has threatened legal action against CNN for reporting on "IceBlock," an app designed to help users identify the locations of ICE officers. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Justice Department is considering a lawsuit. CNN defended its reporting, stating that publishing information about the app was not illegal. The app’s developer, Joshua Aaron, said it was his form of protest against the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies, which he compared to Nazi Germany.

Tehran, Iran – Sahar Emami, an Iranian journalist, has received international recognition for continuing her live broadcast amidst an Israeli missile attack on Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB headquarters on June 16. Despite the ongoing assault, Emami remained on air, exemplifying remarkable bravery.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro awarded her and the victims of the attack with the prestigious Simón Bolívar Award, praising the Iranian people's resilience and expressing optimism about their "ultimate victory." The Iranian government has hailed Emami as a “national pride.”

At least nine Iranian journalists have been killed during the recent 12-day war with Israel, according to a report from Iran's Basij Media Organization. The head of the organization, Morteza Kar Amouzeian, stated that these journalists were victims of targeted Israeli strikes. He added that over 10 other journalists were injured and are currently receiving treatment. Amouzeian called the attacks a clear violation of the Geneva Conventions and vowed to pursue legal action through international channels to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called for the immediate dismissal of reporters from CNN and The New York Times, accusing them of spreading false stories. In a statement, Trump branded them “bad, purposefully malicious people.” In a separate post, he claimed the outlets planned to sack journalists who allegedly fabricated reports about Iran’s nuclear facilities. The media organizations had recently cited U.S. intelligence assessments suggesting American strikes only set back Iran’s nuclear program by a few months instead of destroying it outright.

Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam announced he has received an Honorable Mention for his coverage of the "Bangladesh Revolution" and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's departure from the country. Sharing a photo of the award, he revealed that the recognition came from the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards 2025. He described the achievement as a significant milestone in his career.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has declared Al Jazeera a threat to the country’s national security, stating that the network operates not as a news outlet but as a hostile entity working against Israel’s interests. “Its activities must be stopped,” said Ben-Gvir, calling on law enforcement to take legal action against anyone found watching Al Jazeera broadcasts. Earlier in May 2024, the Israeli government officially banned Al Jazeera journalists and staff from operating within the country.

The body of former news presenter Safina Ahmed Tori (30) was recovered from an apartment in New Eskaton, Dhaka, on Sunday (June 8). Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of death. Her mother, Sabiha Ahmed Rita, disclosed that Tori had been struggling with alcohol consumption for the past four years. On the evening of her death, Tori had spoken with her mother before retiring to her room. She was found unresponsive the next afternoon and was declared dead at the hospital. Police have filed an unnatural death case regarding the incident.

Adviser Asif Mahmud has condemned the spread of misinformation by parts of the mainstream media, particularly regarding the Freedom Fighter Ordinance. “It’s unfortunate that politically motivated groups are using the media to spread false narratives. We can expect this from social media, but mainstream outlets should know better,” he said. Mahmud revealed that similar smear campaigns have previously targeted his family, and those involved are being identified for potential legal action. He urged the Election Commission to organize local elections, assuring that such polls would not delay the national election.

Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Abul Kalam Azad Mazumder, warned that those who publish or promote false or misleading information intended to confuse the public will face legal action. “The recent reports regarding Freedom Fighter titles are fake, fabricated, and baseless,” he said. While the government welcomes constructive criticism, no one has the license to deliberately publish false reports, he added.

At a recent exhibition, Adviser Sharmin S Murshid announced that photographs taken by photojournalists capturing the nation's struggles will be preserved in cyberspace. "This will ensure that future generations can access these powerful images for years to come," she stated.

Addressing the photographers, she added, "You are the custodians of history, capturing and preserving moments that define our nation. My humble request to you is this — don't just document brutality and oppression, also show us glimpses of hope. Use your talent and the power of your profession to stand beside us as we rebuild this country. Let our politics serve the nation beyond the lines of religion and caste."

The Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh has announced a five-day closure for newspapers during Eid-ul-Azha, from June 5 to June 9. No editions will be published from June 6 to June 10. Meanwhile, the government has declared a 10-day Eid holiday (June 5–14), conditional upon working two extra days.