Alongside making profits, be socially responsible
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the media to perform their social responsibilities towards the betterment of society.
“Alongside considering profits, the media has a responsibility to society. Social responsibility is extremely important as people watch and listen to television and radio programmes for entertainment. It's essential to focus on the educational content which would develop society and people,” she said.
She made the call when directors of Association of Television Channel Owners (ATCO) met her at the Prime Minister's Office in Dkaka.
She said the media needs to play an effective role in flourishing education, literature, culture and sports for the sake of proper development of society. Sheikh Hasina also asked the media to focus on issues like food security and food production.
The PM said TV viewership is now growing due to the improvement of socio-economic conditions.
“Since people are attaining financial solvency to buy televisions, it is possible to run a good number of television channels in the country,” she said, adding that the government has so far given licences to 41 television channels of which 30 are now in operation.
The PM said her government was the first to allow TV and radio stations to be operated in the private sector, to create employment and promote cultural activities.
Seeking greater role of the private sector in the country's development, she said the government alone cannot do everything. “We must have confidence in our own strength and capacity instead of being completely dependent on the government for development of the country,” she said.
ATCO Chairman Salman F Rahman, its Director Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, and Senior Vice Chairmen Mozammel Babu and Nazmul Hasan Papan represented the delegation.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said ATCO leaders discussed the Digital Security Act and expressed their support in favour of the recently-passed law.
ATCO leaders also stressed the need for bringing the online media, particularly online news portals, under accountability, he said.
Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, State Minister for Information Tarana Halim and officials of PMO were present at the meeting.
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