Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday underscored the need for putting in place a policy for both the print and electronic media to ensure their accountability. “There should be a policy… its urgent…such a policy is there everywhere in the world,” she said while distributing cheques of ‘Journalist Assistance Allowance’ to 158 injured, insolvent and sick journalists and the families of deceased journalists at her office. Sheikh Hasina said global media orgnisations like CNN and BBC are run with their own policies. “We also need a policy in our country,” she said.
Hasina said she has long been telling the Information Ministry to formulate a policy, but it could not yet do that. “They (Information Ministry) have been saying they are doing it,” she said.
Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu was sitting beside the Prim Minister.
Presided over by Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu the function was addressed, among others, by PM’s Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, secretary general of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, president of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Omar Faruk and secretary Shaban Mahmud.
Hasina said the present government believes in complete freedom of the mass media and the free flow of information to strengthen the country’s democracy and establish the rule of law. “The journalists would enjoy freedom, but at the same time they should have the responsibility and accountability.”
The Prime Minister said defaming someone in the name of freedom of speech, publication of intentional news as well as false propaganda are a threat to sound and independent journalism and democracy.
She said media in the country are expressing their views independently but everybody should remember that independence and responsiveness are closely related.
Hasina mentioned that the mass media plays a positive role in consolidating the institutional shape of democratic rule and ensuring transparency and accountability in the administration.
The premier said the present government has been working relentlessly to keep the freedom of mass media unaffected and maintain it.
The Right to Information Act 2009 has been put in place to ensure the free flow of information, and the Information Commission has been constituted to ensure transparency and accountability at different tiers of the administration.
She hoped that the media would play a more responsible role in disseminating information and performing their duties.
Mentioning the fast growing electronic media in the country following the scientific and technological advancement, she said, her government, during its previous tenure, had given approvals for launching private TV channels.
During the current tenure of her government, she said it has provided licenses to 15 more TV channels and many of them have already gone on air.
Besides, the present government has also given permission to seven more FM radio channels and 16 community radio stations to operate in the country, creating employment opportunities for the journalists and cameramen.
The main aim of her government is take the country towards progress protecting its independence and sovereignty, the Prime Minister said.
Mentioning the crucial role of the journalists in creating public opinion, the Prime Minister said, “Our (political parties) coming to power depend on your writing because you play a big role in creating public opinion.”
Voicing apprehension that the Journalist Assistance Fund could be rolled back if the government is changed, Sheikh Hasina suggested the journalists to turn the fund into a Trust Fund to keep it unharmed even after the change of the government.
She assured them of providing initial fund and advised them to mobilise more for the Trust Fund to make it a permanent measure.
Vehemently criticising the opposition leader for her article in the Washington Times requesting the US government to cancel the GSP facilities for Bangladeshi Product and stop the import of Bangladeshi products.
Referring to BNP’s close link with Jamaat and Hefajat, the Prime Minister said if this alliance would come to power the female workers of garment factories would not be allowed to work.
Sheikh Hasina said her government for the first time in the country’s history constituted a Trust Fund for the Imams and Moajjins although her party is being branded as an atheist one.
Highlighting massive success in education, including providing stipends and free textbooks to students, Sheikh Hasina said had the country had enough resources she would have made education free for all.
-With UNB/The Independent input
