Government to publish list of ‘verified news portals’

The government is set to release the list of online news portals that have been selected for getting registered after a "rigorous verification process."

Information minister Hasan Mahmud made the disclosure on Thursday afternoon at a views exchange programme with journalists at the secretariat.

“Online news portals, against which the government agencies found no objection, will initially be allowed to get registered. A list of such portals will be released tonight,” he said.

He also urged authorities of the other news portals not to be disappointed as it is merely the initial list.

The names of only a few of the 3,000 news portals will be released tonight. "It is an ongoing process," Mahmud said.

Other online news portals will be added to the list after getting verification report from the agencies, added the minister.