Government committed to ensuring a fear-free environment for media: Information Minister

The new government led by Tarique Rahman is determined to ensure a fear-free and independent working environment for the media in Bangladesh, newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said.

He expressed this commitment during a courtesy call on journalists on his first working day at the Secretariat on Wednesday (February 18).

The Information Minister said that the courageous role of the media in the political movement and long struggle of the past years was no less than that of the street workers. The new government is considering protecting the freedom of the press and ensuring the professional safety of journalists as one of its top priorities.

In his speech, Zahir Uddin Swapan expressed deep gratitude on behalf of the new government to all the journalists, policymakers and entrepreneurs related to the media in the country. He mentioned that during the democratic movement, each media platform became a battleground.

He assured that the media will be given due respect and dignity in the same way that the government is evaluating other political comrades. The Information Minister made it clear that independent journalism is not possible by keeping journalists under constant surveillance, so this kind of culture will be put an end to and an open environment will be created.

Responding to a question regarding the challenge of propaganda and rumors on social media, the Information Minister said that due to the rapid advancement of information technology, it has emerged as a major crisis worldwide. While this power of technology has positive aspects, it has also created negative challenges.

The government is thinking very deeply about this issue and measures will be taken to prevent rumors through modern technology. He believes that the main goal of the media should be to convey pure and true information to the people and in the light of that principle, the government will take initiatives to solve all problems.

Stating that he is well aware of the mental stress of imprisonment, oppression and intimidation as a persecuted political activist himself, the Information Minister said, "If those who work in a respected profession like the media have to live in constant fear, it is not desirable for the state." He mentioned that the issue of media freedom has been given special importance in the Prime Minister's development and reform plan.

He will formally begin his official activities after the first cabinet meeting at 3 pm today. Today's meeting was mainly a courtesy exchange and he said that he will hold detailed discussions with representatives of various media organizations in the future. Will I find out if there is any new policy of the Broadcasting Ministry or any agenda related to the media in the cabinet meeting to be held this afternoon?