State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat on Sunday said it is harmful for democracy and commoners as well if any individual or group of people misuses the freedom of expression, free flow of information and freedom of mass media through spreading propaganda and falsehood.

ÒSuch misdeeds will be brought under accountability,Ó he said while exchanging views with reporters after taking charges of the ministry, reports BSS.

Earlier, newly appointed Foreign Minister and outgoing Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud introduced the newly appointed state minister to heads of different departments and officials of the ministry.

Senior Secretary of the ministry Humayun Kabir Khandaker conducted the programme.

Misuse of freedom of expression is harmful for democracy: Arafat
Misuse of freedom of expression is harmful for democracy: Arafat

Dr Hasan said, ÒThe newly appointed state minister for information is a prudent person and my co-partner for long.Ó

Arafat said free flow of information and freedom of expression are parts of the spirit of the great Liberation War. ÒWeÕve ensured those for the progress of the country and for the interest of democracy and we want to keep it up in the upcoming days. But spread false propaganda and deceiving people are injustice,Ó he said.

The state minister said, ÒI want to work in the upcoming days on how to bring untrue and disinformation into accountability to facilitate the free flow of information in a better way.

Chief Information Commissioner Dr Abdul Malek and heads of different departments under the ministry were present on the occasion.