Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr. Hasan Mahmud MP has requested journalists to write against vandalism in the name of politics.
He said that the country is passing through a transitional period. “Attempts are being made to destroy the peace and order situation. Attempts are being made to hand over the wealth of the country to the hands of the world capitalists. Journalists can open people’s third eye. You (journalists) should write columns and reports in protecting the people against all evil forces of the country,” he added.
The minister said these while speaking as the chief guest at a cheque distribution ceremony of Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust at Chattogram Press Club on Sunday evening. Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) arranged the event.
CUJ President Tapan Chakraborty presided over the event, while BFUJVice President Shahidul Alam, Journalist Welfare Trust member Kalim Sarwar, former CUJ president Ali Abbas and general secretary Debdulal Bhowmik spoke on the occasion, among others.
Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that Journalist Welfare Trust is the brainchild of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Now the trust has become a place of trust for journalists across the country. Its status has now reached close to Tk 50 crore. Plans have been taken to increase it further. The Prime Minister also gave some instructions during the distribution of welfare trust checks a few days ago.
He said, “Our government is a journalist-friendly government. In 2022, we have donated more than 10 crore taka from Journalist Welfare Trust. No one has received the amount of grants received by journalists in the last three-four years even in the last 40 year in Chittagong.”
The information minister said that there is no job security for journalists, it is true. Provident fund, gratuity, insurance for journalists are required. The implementation of these is also in the wage board, he added.