He emphasized the need to review the Cyber Security Act
Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Md Nahid Islam held an exchange of views meeting with the heads of departments under his ministry and journalists today (18 August) in his office in the Secretariat. Photo: BSS
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Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Md Nahid Islam held an exchange of views meeting with the heads of departments under his ministry and journalists today (18 August) in his office in the Secretariat. Photo: BSS
Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Md Nahid Islam said today (August 18) that there would be no place for corruption and nepotism in his ministry.
“We are trying to build a corruption-free Bangladesh. We will work together to help the people of Bangladesh achieve this goal. We will use the opportunity we have been given (by the revolution),” he said.
at an exchange of views meeting with the heads of the offices attached to his Ministry in the Secretariat this morning.
At the beginning of the meeting, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the fallen students, people of different ages and journalists.
Commenting on the fall of the Awami League government in a bloody student uprising, the information adviser said: “We have got a new Bangladesh through another bloody struggle. The young generation has new dreams and new goals. We have joined this government to reflect these goals.”
Nahid, who also serves as an adviser on posts, telecommunications and information technology, urged the heads of the departments under his ministry to remain vigilant so that a new autocracy does not emerge as the country rebuilds with new hopes and aspirations.
On the interference in journalism, Nahid said: “We have witnessed the blatant interference in press freedom, mass media and freedom of expression in Bangladesh. We do not want such incidents to be repeated in Bangladesh in the future.”
He noted that it is impossible to ensure freedom of expression without ensuring freedom of the press and said: “We must work to ensure freedom of the press.”
He stressed that the controversial laws and regulations must be reviewed to ensure complete freedom of expression.
The adviser assured that he would stand by the journalists who were killed or injured in the anti-discrimination movement led by students and the general public.
Regarding the salary structure of journalists, he said that the salaries of lower-level reporters are very low and that in many cases the media do not adhere to this salary structure.
“That is why we need a policy on salary structure. If we cannot promote talented people in journalism, there will be no progress,” he added.
Regarding the offices under the Ministry, the Information and Broadcasting Advisor said steps were being taken to make the offices as dynamic and modern as possible.
In addition, the censorship committees would soon be reformed, he added.
Talking about the film industry, Nahid said that the aspirations of the younger generation should be reflected in the films and the films which are being reviewed by the censor board should be released soon provided they do not violate the rules and regulations and without any nepotism or consideration of personal identity.
Regarding the murder of the journalist couple Sagar-Runi, he said that the people of the country know what a farce this murder was.
“The government and the ministry will do everything possible to investigate every incident of killing and torturing journalists and the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” the information adviser said.
Responding to a question about protecting journalists in their professional work, he said the government was considering setting up an independent commission for mass media. He added that appropriate steps would be taken after consulting with journalists.
Nahid emphasized the revision of the Cyber Security Act.
Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker, and other senior officials of the ministry and journalists were present at the meeting.
