The Minister of Information and Broadcasting and the Joint General Secretary of the Awami League Dr Hasan Mahmud said that the practice of ethics along with the spread of media is very important in the multi-dimensional development of the society and the state.
The minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion on 'Bangabandhu in Journalism' organized by Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on the occasion of National Mourning Day at Segunbagicha in the capital on Tuesday afternoon.
Hasan said that in the interest of multi-dimensional development of the state, democracy and society, the expansion and freedom of the media, as well as journalism and the ethics of the media is necessary. Otherwise the fourth pillar of the state is damaged, the state is also damaged. The purpose of the media will be successful only if there is ethics with the spread.
In this regard, the Information Minister said, “Of course, there is a question about the rationale of keeping the declaration of all the newspapers which are not published. These are ghost magazines. Employees are not paid there, they are involved in various activities including extortion and that disgrace is spread on the journalistic society, which is never appropriate. That is why we have started taking action against ghost newspapers”.
The minister described online media as a reality in today's world and said, “Registration of online media is being done only by collecting data, not arbitrarily. At the same time, action is being taken against online portals which are operated for different purposes except news”.
Meanwhile, 600 applications have been received for IP TV. A High Court judge also commented on the case, which is part of the verdict. We are also looking at this case with caution. According to the policy passed by the cabinet, IP TV will not be able to broadcast any news. Apart from registering IP TV very soon, action will also be taken.
Regarding ‘Bangabandhu in the context of journalism’ Hasan said, “Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a journalist-friendly leader. Those who were journalists at that time expressed their unwavering support to Bangabandhu. That is why it was easy for Bangabandhu's philosophy and for the Bengalis to spread his thoughts among the people”.
Hasan Mahmud added, “No one has done in the past what Bangabandhu daughter Sheikh Hasina has done for the journalist community. In Corona, the initiative he has taken with the help of journalists in this country has not been done in the neighboring countries. There was no strong demand from the journalists for the establishment of the Journalist Welfare Trust; the Prime Minister himself has made this permanent arrangement”.
Today thousands of journalists are benefiting through the welfare trust and it is a place of trust for journalists. If someone dies, the family gets Tk 3 lakh. The policy has also been drafted to help the families of journalists. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also given this place of DRU. And Bangabandhu has given the place of National Press Club. The journey of the private television channel also took Bangabandhu's daughter by the hand. There has been a lot of employment.
The meeting was chaired by DRU President Mursalin Nomani and conducted by General Secretary Moshiur Rahman Khan. Arafat Daria, Women's Affairs Secretary Rita Nahar and members Motahar Hossain, Manik Lal Ghosh and others spoke.
