News Flash
DHAKA, April 29, 2025 (BSS) –Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam today said that there should be a law on responsibility and ethics of journalists for betterment of media people of the country.
He said this at a discussion with editors and senior journalists of various media outlets on the reality of the media in the 15 years of fascism at the meeting room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Secretariat here.
"If a journalist is not responsible and professional, he or she cannot get legal protection," said the information adviser.
He further said that there has been no major change in the newspapers during the current government.
During the previous Awami government, many journalists had to lose their jobs, he said, adding that many newspapers were closed.
At that time, a group of journalists worked to protect the Awami fascist government, namely the Sheikh family, he added.
About the betterment of the journalists, the adviser said that the salaries of journalists and their facilities should be increased.
He said that he would work on forming a wage board for journalists.
Mahfuj Alam said that the Awami government committed genocide to stay in power and the countrymen have seen this scenario.
As a result of remaining under fascism for a long time, a sort of self-censorship is working among many journalists, he said, adding that this situation needs to change quickly.
He further said that journalists need to be very careful in publishing news.
"Many lives are being destroyed due to publishing false news," he added.
Mahfuj Alam said that the government is working to resolve the existing crisis in the media.
He further said that the development of the media is not possible without political consensus.
He called on everyone to create a positive environment in the media.
About the fascist political party, he said, banning the Awami League is not the solution rather it is necessary to establish ideological politics in the country.
The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) of Rajshahi University Professor A Al Mamun delivered the keynote address at the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director and Chief Editor of the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Mahbub Morshed said that the book that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is going to publish on predatory journalism will work like a white paper.
"The book will create a space for self-criticism," he added.
He said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting may also compile the stories and experiences of the victims who faced various tortures and oppression in the past 15 years.
Senior journalist and head of the Media Reform Commission Kamal Ahmed, Professor Giti Ara Nasrin, Samakal Advisory Editor Abu Sayeed Khan, Amar Desh Executive Editor Syed Abdal Ahmed, Prothom Alo Chief News Editor Lazzat Mohsi, Samakal Assistant Editor Ehsan Mahmud, Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Managing Director Muhammad Abdullah, Daily Naya Diganta Executive Editor Masumur Rahman Khalili and Bangla Vision Editor-in-Chief and Head of News Abdul Hai Siddiqui were present , among others, on the occasion.
