Md. Abbas Ali, a resident of Ruhia Upazila of Thakurgaon, strongly condemned and protested against the one-sided and misleading news published on the social media Facebook page. He organized a press conference on Saturday to protect his and his family’s honor and to uncover the truth.
In a written statement, Abbas Ali said that on Monday, June 29, at an anti-drug discussion meeting organized at the BNP office in Patiyadangi Bazar, Rajagaon Union No. 3 Senior Vice President Aminur Rahman Ripon (alias Haji Ripon) made baseless allegations of drug involvement against him and his family without any information or evidence. Later, capitalizing on that statement, journalist Anwar Hossain published one-sided and defamatory news on a Facebook page called ‘Himaloyer Pashe’ without any fact-checking or interviewing the victim’s family.
Abbas Ali said at the press conference, “Neither I nor any member of my family have ever been involved in any illegal or drug trade. We have been actively participating in social, religious and developmental activities of the society for a long time. We have a good reputation and acceptance in the society. This fictional story has been fabricated to defame us at the instigation of a malicious group.”
He further said that Aminur Rahman Ripon, who raised the baseless allegation, later realized his mistake and, in the face of public outrage, withdrew his previous statement on Facebook Live next to the Himalayas and apologized. This proved that the allegation was completely fabricated and motivated.
Abbas Ali, referring to the media as a mirror of society, said, “Before publishing sensitive news, the minimum moral responsibility of journalism is to verify the truth and take the statement of the aggrieved party. But unfortunately, the reporter of the ‘Himaloy Pashe’ page has carried out this propaganda without any regard for professionalism.”
Through the press conference, he requested the concerned law enforcement agencies and media personnel not to spread such misleading news in the future without verifying the truth. Otherwise, he warned that he would be forced to resort to the country’s existing laws against defamation and propaganda.