ZCZC
BSS-49
HASAN-DRU-JOURNALISTS- TWO LAST DHAKA
Hasan said the fourth organ of the state- mass media– and other concerned play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of the new generation and getting the state in right track.
Terming the role of journalists as inimitable in the struggle of country’s independence and building the nation after the great Liberation War, the information minister said the journalists, in the present context, are playing an important role to open the third eye of the society, highlight the inconsistencies of the society, make more responsible all concerned and run the state properly.
For this, the Prime Minister formed a special fund during the COVID-19 situation for the journalists and the government is providing assistance to journalists, a matter not happened in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka or other countries, said Hasan, Also Awami League joint general secretary.
The information minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government practices the culture of cherishing criticism. But, if there is only criticism, the persons who are doing good deeds will lose their enthusiasm unless their good works are appreciated, he added.
The information minister congratulated the DRU to complete all programmes successfully on its 25th founding anniversary.
About the proposed mass media employees’ act and broadcasting act, Hasan said the drafts of the two acts were sent to the law ministry many days ago. And the law ministry has sent the mass media employees’ act to the information ministry after vetting along with some advices, he added.
‘‘We’ve already started works and it brings all media workers, including electronic media personnel, under the purview of legal protection. The broadcast sector will be running through broadcast commission after passing the broadcast act,’’ he said.
The information minister gave importance on more investigative reports, saying directives have been given to the Press Institute of Bangladesh for awarding journalists and to give training to them (journalists).
Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists former president Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul and Dhaka Union of Journalists president Quddus Affrad addressed the function as special guests with DRU president Rafiqul Islam Azad in the chair. DRU general secretary Riaz Chowdhury conducted it.
Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul handed over the awards to 15 journalists on behalf of the information ministry while the daily Bartaman chief reporter Motahar Hossain addressed the function on behalf of the awardees.
After the function, the information minister talked with journalists over a recent issue at his official residence and said it is not acceptable at all to hurt religious sentiment in the name of freedom of expression.
He said it is not acceptable or not proper to publish cartoons of Prophet Hazart Muhammad (SM) or to hurt religious sentiment in the name of freedom of expression. ‘‘In the same way, we also
do not accept killing anyone in the name of religion. Everyone should keep in mind that anyone’s freedom would not hurt any others feelings,’’ said Hasan.
Earlier, the information minister held a meeting with a delegation of India on international digital exhibition on Bangabandhu and Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museum curator Birad Rajaram Yeazmik, publication chief Tarandip Gunti and additional secretary of the information ministry Jahanara Parvin, were present at the meeting.
BSS/Asg/PSB/KU/2025hrs