The government intends to ensure a healthy and sustainable environment for mass media through effective policies rather than imposing control, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said.
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled "Role of Mass Media in Sustainable Democracy" organized by the Television Editors Council in Tejgaon, Dhaka, on Friday (August 7) the minister noted that establishing such an environment would boost investment in the media sector. This, in turn, would make it easier to ensure better pay structures, improved working conditions, and professional security for journalists.
Emphasizing that there is no alternative to independent journalism for the growth of democracy, the minister stated that the government no longer exercises control over the media as in the past. Instead, the government firmly believes that an independent, responsible, and objective press is essential for building a sustainable democratic state system.
He added that previous concerns regarding government control over the media no longer align with current realities.
Highlighting journalism as a fundamental pillar of the state and society, the minister stressed the need to safeguard the dignity and security of the profession. However, he noted that the government cannot achieve this alone and called for coordinated efforts among media owners, journalists, advertisers, and all relevant stakeholders.
The minister further stated that the greatest ongoing battle is between accurate information and misinformation. Therefore, practicing objective, accurate, and responsible journalism stands as the biggest challenge today, alongside playing an active role in countering fake and misleading news.
