Govt open to criticism from media

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud yesterday welcomed all types of constructive criticism from the media.

“But blind and one-sided criticism is not useful,” he told journalists at his secretariat office, reports UNB.

The newly appointed minister added that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina introduced the culture of welcoming any criticism.

Referring to a national award won by The Daily Star on environmental issue in 2009 when he was the environment minister, Hasan said the newspaper was awarded despite its publication of reports and cartoons criticising the ministry.

Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) was also awarded although they had criticised the ministry, he mentioned.

The Daily Star received the National Environment Award-2009 in environment education and campaign category for promotion of environmental awareness.

Responding to a question about the Digital Security Act, the minister said the government would work on it so that there was no panic among journalists about the act. 

There has been a huge revolution not only in the country's online media, but also in print, electronic and social media, he added. “Around 8 crore people are using social media.”

BSS adds: the minister said mass media plays a vital role in building a society. The role of the media is most important for mental development of children as well as the adults.

In another development, the minister thanked Dr Kamal Hossain for realising the “mistake” that the Jatiya Oikyafront had made by allowing Jamaat-e-Islami leaders to take part in the 11th parliamentary election under the banner of the alliance, UNB reports.

Dr Kamal on Saturday said it was a mistake on the part of his party -- Gonoforum -- to have participated in the December 30 polls with Jamaat leaders contesting under the alliance banner.

Hasan said the Oikyafront would make another mistake if its elected candidates did not take the oath to join the House. “I hope they will realise it and join parliament by taking the oath of office.”