DHAKA, Feb 26, 2019 (BSS) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the government has taken an initiative to implement the ninth wage board award for journalists.
“The government is committed to ensuring the freedom of mass media and protecting the people’s rights to the free flow of information,” he said while responding to a starred question placed by lawmaker Md Shafiqul Islam Shimul of Natore-2 in the House with Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.
Citing the Article 39 of the Constitution, Hasan said media was significantly expanded in its every section in the last 10 years.
He said the government is providing support to journalists through the Journalists’ Welfare Trust and steps have been taken to continue the support for them.
Replying another starred question placed by Md Rustum Ali Faraji of Pirojpur-3, the information minister said now there are a total of 2,654 newspapers, including dailies, weeklies, quarterlies and monthlies, in the country.