Govt committed to ensuring press freedom: Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon today (18 June) categorically said that the government is committed to ensuring freedom of press.

For the first time in the country's history, the government has brought together all stakeholders of the media on a single platform, he said.

"Through this, immense opportunity has been created to ensure press freedom and form an independent National Media Commission in the country," he added.

The minister was addressing a workshop organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at a city hotel this morning to formulate the outline of the National Media Commission.

In his speech, the information minister said in this reform process, the government will only act as a 'supporting' and cooperative partner on behalf of the state.

"Today is a unique milestone in the country's media history. For the first time in Bangladesh, we have been able to bring together all stakeholders of the mainstream media on one platform," he said.

Swapon said today's event has basically opened the door to an open possibility. "Only if we can all find the main point of our path unanimously through discussion, then this event will be successful," he added.

He said the government will only play the role of a coordinator in successfully advancing the great and independent objective of the media on behalf of the state.

Reiterating the firm commitment of the incumbent government to build a democratic and welfare-oriented state, the information minister said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had promised the country's people, before going to the elections, – to turn the country into a truly democratic and welfare state.

For this reason, he said, the government will repair all the sectors involving all where the state structure needs to be repaired or reformed.

He said, "One of the most important sectors listed for this reform is the media. The government is committed to ensuring the media freedom."

Prime Minister Information Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman delivered the keynote speech while State Minister Yasser Khan Choudhury delivered the address of welcome.

In his welcome speech, Yasser Khan said a democratic government has been established in the country after a bloody revolution and struggle.

Specific suggestions are needed on how to uphold this democracy and how the media can be a companion and collaborator in this development journey of the government, he said.

He called upon the government and the media to work together for the advancement of the media.

Putting emphasis on strengthening the proposed Media Commission, Yasser Khan said, "We want to form a Media Commission that will be very strong and where there will be accountability."

"Your valuable opinions and suggestions on how to make this commission more effective and accountable are very important," he added.

Moderated by Information Secretary Mahbuba Farjana, the workshop was attended by representatives of television owners, editors, non-governmental organisations, including the National Editors Council, National Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), Television Editors Council, Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO), National Media Watch Council, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), Broadcast Journalist Center (BJC), Photo Journalists Association, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha and Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust.