Govt preparing list of incidents involving torture and repression journalists: Information Minister

Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said the government is preparing a list of incidents involving torture and repression of media workers during the previous regime.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after inaugurating a book fair at Rafiqul Islam Bakul Swadhinata Chattar on Friday evening.

The minister said the government has already begun discussions with journalists and other stakeholders to ensure what he described as “responsible media independence.”

“Our government is only one and a half months old. We have started consultations with all concerned groups to ensure a free but responsible media environment,” he said, expressing hope that a consensus will be reached through dialogue.

He added that repression of journalists was a feature of authoritarian rule and stressed that those responsible would be held accountable.

“We want to establish democracy. Crimes against media workers will not go unpunished. We have taken steps, in coordination with journalist representatives, to compile a list of such incidents,” he said.

After the inauguration, the minister also held a views-exchange meeting with journalists at the Pabna Press Club and attended several other programmes in the district.