Staff Reporter:
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon yesterday said in the past, during the fascist regime, the state used to turn a blind eye to the media but the incumbent democratic government now wants to work as a real ‘collaborator’ in solving problems of media and journalists.
“The June 16 is the black day of newspapers. The crisis of the media and the black environment of the journalism profession have now become one. Therefore, instead of getting stuck in the discussion of problems of 50 years, we need to understand the new challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital media and find innovative solutions to those,” he said.
The information minister made the remarks while speaking at a discussion titled ‘Black Day for News-papers’ jointly organized by BFUJ and DUJ at Jatiya Press Club.
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir spoke at as the chief guest with DUJ President Md Shahidul Islam in the chair.
DUJ Acting General Secretary Didarul Alam Didar moderated the event, and BFUJ Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury presented the keynote address.
Drawing on the historical context, Swapon said by incorporating the Fourth Amendment to the Constitu-tion in January 1975, the original spirit of the War of Liberation was destroyed and a one-party rule was established.
He said the dictatorial rulers understood that to prevent the voice and anger of the people, the media would have to be strangled; otherwise, they would not be saved and that is why they officially killed the voice of the newspapers on June 16, 1975.
“We need to read the biography of this virus of fascism that escaped in the past well, which will act as an ‘antivirus’ against any dictatorial mentality hidden in our own minds,” he said.
The state must ensure the professional financial security and social status of journalists, he said.
Swapon warned that the media that claims to be an ‘industrial institution’ must be operated according to the existing laws of the country.
“At the same time, 100 percent security of employees must be ensured. However, the state will provide special incentives and cooperation to media that are only engaged in public welfare outside the profit-based industry,” he said.
The information minister said the government has already exchanged views with all stakeholders, includ-ing the Editors Council and the Television Association.
“Very soon, a strong ‘Media Commission’ with quasi-judicial powers will be formed, which will be the most powerful institution in post-fascist Bangladesh,” he said.
Among others, the discussion was addressed by Jatiya Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, Television Editors Council Convener and Bangla Vision Editor-in-Chief Dr Abdul Hai Siddique, Pratidin Bangla-desh Editor Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel.
Besides, BFUJ Vice Presidents Khairul Bashar and AKM Mohsin, Assistant Secretary General Dr Sadiqul Islam, Publicity Secretary Shahjahan Saju, Organizing Secretary Erfanul Haque Nahid and lead-ers of journalist bodies also spoke.
