The new Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has promised to crack down on online news portals who spread "fake news."
"There are a lot of online news portals now. Sometimes, they publish wrong news that can potentially defame individuals," he told reporters on the first day of taking charge of the Information Ministry on Tuesday.
"I will deal with the issue with your [media and journalists] help," he added.
Hasan said the media acted as the fourth pillar of the state and the mirror of society, reports UNB.
"I have been involved with the media for a long time. Journalists have many problems.....I know about some, and will try to learn about others," he added.
After he was sworn into office on Monday, Hasan said that he will consider providing state assistance to media outlets who are unable to function smoothly for various obstacles.
Hasan Mahmud, also the Awami League's publication and publicity secretary, was elected a member of parliament from the Chittagong 7 constituency in the 11th general election held on December 30.
He had been appointed state minister for foreign affairs in January 2009 in Sheikh Hasina's cabinet, but was moved to the position of state minister for environment and forests six months later.
In November 2011, he was promoted to full minister of environment and forest, and served till the end of 2013.
