The government wants to create an excellent environment for journalists in Bangladesh, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat said on Saturday.
“We want to ensure all necessary things for all media so that they can work freely to facilitate free journalism and freedom of expression as it was pledges of our Liberation War,” he said.
The state minister was speaking at the ‘Meet the Reporters’ programme organized by the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) at its Nasrul Hamid Auditorium at Segunbagicha in the capital on Saturday.
“And those who believe in the spirit of liberation war will be benefited through the fair practices of journalism”, he added.
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Noting that lack of information creates the scope of sprouting misinformation and disinformation, the state minister said the government is working to bring necessary reform to allow journalists to get information from government sources within the shortest possible time.
He also said that those who are in the profession of journalism and fall into various financial problems are being tried to help them through the Journalist Welfare Trust.
Underlining the steps taken by the present government for journalists’ welfare, the state minister said, “Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust is the real manifestation of Sheikh Hasina’s government to ensure the welfare of the journalists.
“We are working to ensure that the congenial atmosphere for free journalism, free-thinking and freedom of expression as well as the welfare of the journalists,” he said.
Arafat sought the cooperation of the journalists to prevent any falsehood against the government in the name of so-called criticism saying the media must criticize the government if any mistake is made.
“Free flow of information and constructive criticism can help take the society ahead while misinformation can take it back,” he said.
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The state minister said it is the collective responsibility of the government and media to contain disinformation. The government is fully careful about overstepping its authority while preventing misinformation, he said.
“Anti-liberation forces are still out to change the definition of our struggle of independence which we have got at the cost of the lives of 30 lakh people and the chastity of thousands of women. They want to take the country back to a dark age, opposite to the spirit of our Liberation War,” he added.
“Our constant fight against this evil force, those who are enemies of democracy, freedom, and evil forces of society will continue and we sought the support of the media in this fight,” he added.
Regarding the Media Workers Act, the state minister said that instructions have been given to create a cell with two representatives from all journalist organizations to review the law. After discussion with the members of this cell it will be finalized with their input. Then it will be taken to the Parliamentary Standing Committee within a short time and subsequently passed by the Parliament.