2024-05-09 04:29:08
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Arafat said that the right of media to receive information will be guaranteed under the Right to Information Act.
He said this at a workshop titled ‘Right to Information Act and Role of Mass Media’ at the National Media Institute Auditorium in Darus Salam in the capital on Wednesday (May 8).
The state minister said that the government wants to ensure the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act. This law was passed during the tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The government has made this law to ensure its transparency and accountability. But when any law is made in the society, various challenges may arise in the implementation of that law. In this law, there may be some lack of understanding on both the parties who will take the information or those who will give the information. This Act has strengthened the media as a powerful weapon. But there needs to be a cultural shift in understanding whether that weapon will be used or misused, and among those who will be asked for information under the Act. There is often inertia in providing information. The government wants to ensure that information related to the public, the information that the people have the right to provide. Media journalists also need to have a professional approach in seeking information.
The State Minister also said that there is often a misunderstanding on the part of those who seek information about the right to seek information under the Right to Information Act. It is important to distinguish between information that is public and information that is confidential. There is some sensitive information that is protected under secrecy laws and is not for the public. Bangladesh Bank, BTRC and other such sensitive institutions have to adopt several strategies as regulatory institutions. These strategies have to be kept secret for a long time until they are implemented. Disclosure of these often harms larger interests. In this case, journalism, free flow of information, information reaching people and sensitive information have to be balanced. There needs to be training, communication and interaction on all sides.
He further said, free flow of information, information reaching the people and disinformation should be countered. However, one must keep in mind the distinction between information for the public and national interest that is considered sensitive and secret information in all countries of the world. We want to take transparency and accountability of government and administration to the highest level. It is a commitment to the spirit of the liberation war.
The state minister also said that we want to further establish the Right to Information Act. We want journalists to be more empowered by using this law, can fully use this law and we find its usefulness in the society. At the same time, we want to see the responsible use of this law. Those who have an obligation to provide information under this Act shall be required to provide information when requested. When the media asks for information from the public, it must be ensured that the information is provided as soon as possible. The sooner accurate information is provided, the less chance there is of rumors or misinformation.
He also said that the information that the public is assured by the Right to Information Act should be given to the media. The faster this information can be made available, the better for Bangladesh Bank and all other such institutions. We all need to develop the mindset that the sooner the right information gets to the people – the better for us.
The Minister of State for Information also said that the government wants those who do not give information under the Right to Information Act to not have any kind of inertia or mental barrier in giving information. The government also wants every government institution to make the information readily available at the earliest. And those who want information, we want them to use the Right to Information Act correctly. We also want to build capacity to use this law through training; So that no one abuses this law.
Regarding providing Bangladesh Bank information, the State Minister said, Bangladesh Bank information will be made available through a planned process.
He also added that professional journalists are the biggest victims of slander. Professional journalism suffers when it is misrepresented. In all laws some dishonest people want to take advantage of the abuse. We have to face it together; But the Cyber Security Act (CSA) cannot be used to block any journalistic practice. CSA will protect professional journalism.
Under the chairmanship of Additional Director General of National Media Institute Sufi Zakir Hossain, Chief Information Commissioner of Information Commission Dr. Abdul Malek and Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank were present as special guests in the workshop. Khurshid Alam
Chief Information Officer of the Directorate of Information. Shahenur Mia, Chief Executive of Bangladesh Film and Television Institute Faizul Haque and various officials of various departments under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were present in the workshop.
The workshop was attended by 50 journalists from various media outlets.