State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat commented that the role of Bangladesh Press Council is very important to bring accountability in the media and journalism profession.
The State Minister made this comment while addressing the chief guest at the greeting exchange ceremony organized on the occasion of Bangladesh Press Council’s 50th founding anniversary and Bangladesh Press Council Day 2024 at the Information Bhavan Auditorium on Circuit House Road in the capital on Wednesday (February 14) afternoon.
Bangladesh Press Council Chairman Justice Md. Director General of Department of Films and Publications S.M. Golam Kibria. Bangladesh Press Council Secretary Shyamal Chandra Karmakar delivered the welcome speech. Officials and employees of various levels including heads of departments and organizations under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were present at this time.
At that time, the state minister said that the main work of mass media and journalism is to make the authorities and the government accountable. As a mirror of the society, highlighting the various inconsistencies, good and bad of the society. But like other professions, in this profession, we see in many cases unjournalism in the name of journalism, unprofessional attitude is manifested in the place of professionalism.
The state minister also said that there is a need to have some accountability in those professions who will bring everyone under accountability in all areas of the society. Institutions like the Press Council have a very important role to play in that area.
He also said that those who have been doing journalism professionally for a long time and are still doing it all have some kind of attraction towards professionalism. They want transparency, accountability and some kind of discipline in this profession. I have seen this demand from the journalist community. There can be a kind of matching and a cooperative relationship between the government and the media.
He said the government welcomes criticism and tough questions of any kind. We have no problem answering any questions or accepting any failures, criticisms, and promises to do better in the future. But care should be taken that no group can conspire by misusing journalism. The Press Council has an important role to play there.
The state minister also said that the Press Council Act needs to be made more up-to-date. Our objective is to make media space and environment more transparent, beautified and strengthened. It is the government’s intention that the space of media should not be narrowed in any way, free flow of information should be ensured, freedom of media and freedom of expression should be more open. At the same time, the aim is to curb disinformation and bring accountability in the name of disinformation in the media. There is no disagreement between government, political parties, politicians, media or any other profession in this place.
He also said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is journalist-friendly and media-friendly. Media has expanded in the last 15 years and during this time there was a liberal approach to media. But those who complain that this government has narrowed the space of media, they never say how much sympathy this government is working for the welfare of media. These issues must be brought to the fore and those who are spreading various kinds of misinformation must be answered.
The state minister also said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we are moving towards Smart Bangladesh. But our basic position is that there should be democracy in this country, there should be freedom of expression. This is part of the spirit of our liberation war. In addition, there should be freedom of media. We believe freedom of the media is as important as curbing disinformation. But we must be careful not to restrict the freedom of the media while preventing disinformation.
#Press #Councils #role #important #media #accountability #Minister #State #Information
