Dhaka, May 9 (UNB) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said the instability in the media, especially in TV channels, over the insecurity of journalists’ jobs will be over soon as the government is taking various steps in this regard.
“Since the Prime Minister has given me the charge of this [information] ministry, I have been working for ensuring the security of journalists and their jobs so that they can work independently. I’m putting in my best efforts to this end,” he said.
The minister further said, “I’ll be able to do many things, if I get your (journalists’) cooperation. I’ve started working on some issues, especially ensuring your job security. If I can successfully do it, the current instability in the media, mainly in TV stations, will be over.”
Hasan Mahmud came up with the remarks while speaking at an iftar mahfil arranged by Chittagong Division Journalists’ Forum, Dhaka (CDJFD) at the Jatiya Press Club.
He said their ministry is also working for changing the Terms of Reference (ToR) of Journalist Welfare Trust to extend the areas of assistance.
Mentioning that the number of newspapers, TVs and online portals has increased exponentially in the country, the minister said it is necessary to maintain the professional skills and excellence of journalists with the expansion of the media sector.
Hasan Mahmud sought cooperation of journalists’ forums, including Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) and the Jatiya Press Club, in resolving the existing problems in the media sector.
Former Railways Minister Mujibul Haque, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Barrister Biplab Barua, Press Council Chairman Justice Mohammed Mumtaz Uddin Ahmed, Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Director General Zafar Wazed, Press Club senior vice president Omar Farroque, DUJ general secretary Sohel Haider Chowdhuryand CDJFD president Mahmudur Rahman Khokon, secretary general Shahinul Islam Chowdhury, former DUJ general secretaries Quddus Afrad, Kazi Rafique, Jatiya Grantha Kendra director Minar Mansur and senior journalists were present at the event.
