2024-09-23 17:16:19
Information and broadcasting adviser of the interim government expressed hope that the announcement of the media reform commission could come next week. Nahid Islam. He said, the chief adviser. The announcement may come when Muhammad Yunus returns home from the United Nations.
The Information Advisor said this in an exchange meeting with newspaper publishers, editors, executive editors and senior journalists organized by the Directorate of Films and Publications (DFP) at Circuit House Road in the capital on Monday (September 23) afternoon.
In the meeting, editors and journalists highlighted various problems of the media and demanded to solve them. Many of them complained about the veracity of the number of press releases made by the DFP. At this time, the demand for the formation of an independent media commission was also raised.
Nahid Islam said, we want freedom of media, ‘of course. But I want to leave the question to you, what is the limit of media freedom? As we know, freedom means freedom; There is no control here. But can fascists propagate by talking about freedom of media or freedom? Can the purpose of fascists be served by talking about freedom of media or not? I left that question to you. We want to ensure all freedoms by keeping our country, our coup, as a priority, by keeping standards.’
The information adviser said, they want to ensure the freedom of the media; It is not just a word of mouth, but want to implement it in action.
Regarding the role of mass media in the July uprising, Nahid Islam said that the newspaper played a good role during the July uprising. At one time people all over the country became dependent on newspapers. Because some information can be found in the newspaper. It was seen then that the electronic media was completely axiomatic, at that time newspapers were the only hope.
For this he thanked on behalf of the student movement. However, there was also the opposite side, Nahid Islam commented and said that many of the journalists were also against the movement. They worked for fascism.
At this time, Nahid Islam, repeating his previous statement, said that whoever works for fascism, whoever incites the genocide, will be judged. Journalists, poets, writers—it will not be taken into account. At the same time, if injustice is done to a journalist or anyone, that matter will also be looked into. If someone is given a case, in which he is not actually charged, those cases will be withdrawn. Action will be taken against him on the basis of his complaint.
Editors and senior journalists of various newspapers from Dhaka and outside Dhaka presented their views in the exchange meeting.
In the meeting, Chief Editor of Manavzamin, Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, said that there is no alternative to the commission if they want to solve the problems of newspapers.
Jugantar editor Saiful Alam commented that the media is going through a transition period for a long time and said that the media is in a lot of trouble. Its journey started especially since the Corona period. Promotion number, advertising downstream. Everyone should make a policy for the media.
Kaler Kantha editor Hasan Hafiz said that reforms should not only be done in the political field, but the film and publication directorate is also very questionable. There are also allegations of rigging, cheating and fraud. Reforms must be made here as well.
Hasan Hafeez complained about the number of campaigns made by DFP. He demanded to remove these irregularities.
Prothom Alo executive editor Sajjad Sharif said that fundamental reforms are needed in newspapers and mass media. Laws that hinder journalism, including cyber security laws, should also be reformed. There is also a need to bring transparency in the circulation numbers of newspapers.
Information advisor Nahid Islam said that every effort will be made to solve the various problems of journalists. He mentioned that the process of digitizing the entire system of advertising and billing is going on.
The editors and senior journalists of other newspapers from Dhaka and outside Dhaka also expressed their views in the exchange meeting moderated by director general (ongoing duty) of the Directorate of Films and Publications, Abul Kalam Mohammad Shamsuddin. In addition, the Chief Information Officer of the Directorate of Information. Nizamul Kabir, Director General of Directorate of Mass Communication Aktar Hossain, Director General of Bangladesh Television. Mahbubul Alam, Managing Director of Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust M Abdullah and others gave speeches.