2024-02-15 10:10:42
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat has announced to formulate a policy to determine the qualifications of journalists to bring discipline in the media.
The state minister said this in a meeting with Broadcast Journalist Center (BJC) leaders in the meeting room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Secretariat on Wednesday (February 14).
He said, you (professional journalists) want a policy to determine the qualifications of journalists to bring discipline in the media. We will discuss it with you.
Referring to the meeting with various journalists’ organizations, Mohammad Ali Arafat said at this time, “I have received another proposal from various journalists’ organizations to formulate a policy to determine the qualifications and quality standards of journalists.”
The Minister of State for Information also said that in agreement with the demands of journalists to bring social media under a policy and accountability, steps will be taken by talking to journalists and other stakeholders.
He said, since journalists have insisted on the need to bring all social media including YouTube and Facebook under a policy and accountability, I as the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting agree with this demand and will try to fulfill it by discussing with journalists.
He said that the government of Bangabandhu and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shown a liberal approach to media expansion in the last 15 years. We allow media to enjoy full freedom.
He said that legal action will be taken against those who are involved in irregularities in providing broadcasting or internet services in disregard of existing laws.
Responding to the call of journalists to take action against sudden retrenchment in the media, the state minister said that it is a violation of the Universal Charter of Human Rights. I will issue formal instructions so that no organization can fire its journalists at short notice. A layoff notice must be served at least three months in advance.
Similarly, if journalists want to resign, they also have to inform the authorities before a certain period, like two-three months.
The state minister has sought their cooperation in meeting the demands of the journalists.
BJC Chairman Rezwanul Haque Raza, Member Secretary Shakeel Ahmed, Treasurer Manas Ghosh, Trustee Board Member Syed Ishtiaq Reza and others were present in the meeting.