Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on the media to move forward on the path of truthful and fact-based journalism. He made the appeal on Monday (June 15) at a meeting with the chief executive officers (CEOs) and news editors of the country’s television channels. He said the media must present the truth to the public as the truth, not as a partisan position or as flattery of the government. The prime minister also sought the media’s cooperation in bringing about positive change in the country.
The meeting included a detailed discussion of the current crisis in the country’s television industry, the professional challenges facing journalists, job security and press freedom. After the meeting, journalist leaders said the atmosphere of the discussion had been very cordial and productive.
The prime minister’s press secretary, Abu Abdullah M. Saleh, said the media must play an important role in awakening humanitarian and social values alongside economics and social policy. To that end, he said, an initiative has been taken to form an independent media commission. A dialogue with stakeholders on the matter will be held on June 18.
The meeting raised the demand that the television industry be developed into a full-fledged sector. Media representatives stressed the implementation of a wage board, ensuring job security and the swift formation of an effective media commission.
Channel 24 executive director Zahirul Alam said the government’s policy support and the safety of journalists were needed to ensure an environment of free journalism.
The meeting also discussed framing effective policy to raise the media’s credibility, secure government cooperation and protect press freedom. The focus of those involved is now on the June 18 dialogue, where significant progress on the outline of an independent media commission is possible.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report