Freedom comes with responsibility
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said the role of media is undeniable for progressing towards a developed nation.
“Since taking charge, I have been working relentlessly to ensure the highest freedom of media as well as journalists. But there should be responsibility along with freedom…,” he told at a discussion at Jatiya Press Club.
Marking World Press Freedom Day, the press club organised the event titled “The Scenario of Mass Media: Perspective Bangladesh”, with its President Saiful Alam in the chair.
Former Dhaka University vice chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique addressed the discussion as special guest while GTV chief editor Syed Ishtiaque Reza presented the keynote paper.
Dr Hasan said media is the fourth organ of the state. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman struggled to establish a multidimensional country, he said, adding that the country is now moving forward under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said just three years ago, Bangladesh graduated to developing country from a least developed one and this has been possible only for Sheikh Hasina’s leadership.
Dr Hasan, also publicity and publication secretary of Awami League, said once a food-deficient country, Bangladesh now exports food -- though it is one of the most-densely populated countries.
The minister said Bangladesh became one of the top five countries in GDP growth. It has emerged as a perfect example of development before the world community.
The country has witnessed considerable progress as the present government implemented many development programmes in the past 10 years, he said. Bangladesh has exceeded India and Pakistan in many key indicators, Dr Hasan added.
About the Digital Security Act, the minister said there are many countries which made such laws to ensure digital security for all.
“There were some cases of misuse [of the act] in the country. We should hold collective discussions so that no one faces any harassment.”
He said the government would work on some clauses of the act and urged journalists to cooperate in this regard.
Press club’s General Secretary Farida Yasmin; senior Vice President Omar Faruque; senior journalists Riazuddian Ahmed and Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul; Prothom Alo Joint Editor Abdul Quaiyum; press club’s former general secretary Quamrul Islam Chowdhury and NHK Bangladesh representative Parvin Ahmed, among others, addressed the discussion. Press club Treasurer Shyamal Dutta conducted it.
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