Businessmen are victims of media trials, fear of negative impact on the economy
-
-
|
Businessmen are victims of media trials, fear of negative impact on the economy
Traders are already being affected due to various instability in recent times. Among them, some of the country's media are spreading rumors by targeting various businesses and financial institutions and reporting news with false information and fabricated statements. And as a result of these news, traders are becoming victims of media trials, according to a report in a daily news outlet.
Those involved in the sector said that people are panicking due to the media trials against the country's top businessmen and industrialists, investors, banks and financial institutions. Due to which they are withdrawing deposits from banks and financial institutions. They said that due to the media trials, instability has arisen not only in the banking sector, but also in various sectors of business and commerce.
Those involved believe that the media trials have played a role in the weakening of 10 banks in the recent past. Last Monday, an online portal published a report titled 'Bangladesh Bank appoints receivers in 9 industrial groups' citing sources from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU). Later, several other media outlets published the report in its entirety. However, the BFIU did not acknowledge the authenticity of the news. The stakeholders are viewing the matter as a media trial.
In this regard, BFIU Deputy Chief AKM Ehsan said that BFIU or Bangladesh Bank cannot appoint receivers anywhere. Receivers are appointed by the court. No such decision has been taken by BFIU or Bangladesh Bank. The report on that online portal said that Bangladesh Bank is appointing receivers in 9 industrial groups to recover bank loans. Their main task will be to find collateral and their movable and immovable properties against bank loans and sell those properties to pay off the bank's debts.
The information said that the trial of a person outside the court through the media and social media is called a media trial. According to Article 31 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, no illegal action can be taken that causes damage to the life, reputation and property of a person. In addition, a person cannot be called a criminal until proven guilty. According to the stakeholders, there is no alternative to objective journalism. Journalism is about providing accurate information. Nothing beyond accurate and objective information is acceptable in journalism.
When asked about this, Abdul Awal Mintu, former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry-FBCCI, the apex organization of businessmen, said that investment and employment are damaged by false information. Especially when false news is published in the media, the wrong message is sent to the whole world. This damages domestic and foreign investment. If there is no investment, there will be no employment. Therefore, everyone concerned should be vigilant so that no business or institution faces losses in the media trial.
In this context, former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association-BGMEA Md. Faruk Hasan said - The garment industry market depends on international buyers. The garment industry is often the victim of a kind of media trial. This is damaging the image of Bangladesh abroad.
To a question, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association-BKMEA Mohammad Hatem said, wrong policies were made by presenting wrong information during the previous government. Therefore, there will be a request to everyone - all the principles of journalism should be followed to stop media trials. One-sided news coverage is tantamount to misreporting. This harms both businessmen and businesses.
In this regard, executive president of BKMEA Fazle Shamim Ehsan said, one-sided news coverage is wrong. Be it in politics or business. If something is published before it is proven, then it is derogatory in family, social, and economic terms. This is not desirable in any way. We do business on the trust of people. Banks, suppliers, local buyers, foreign buyers trust us. We have a brand value. Many people believe it when there is a trial in the media.
Regarding the media trial in the economy, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Editor-in-Chief of Dainik Manabzamin, said, "Media trials not only humiliate someone, but also have a negative impact on the economy in many ways. If the target of a media trial is a businessman, it can bring down his business. This hinders domestic and foreign investment. There is stagnation in the economy. Many people become unemployed. The media cannot avoid responsibility. Therefore, the media must also be extremely careful before publishing news. It is the responsibility of the media to find out the real truth.
In this regard, Professor Abu Ahmed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB), a state-owned investment institution, said that such news should not be published that harms businesses, industrialists and the public. The report is a very sensitive issue. Therefore, businessmen should be more careful in reporting without causing harm through media trials.
