News Flash
BARISHAL, March 19, 2026 (BSS) – Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan today said the government is working to ensure the highest degree of freedom for the mass media.
"During the election, our party pledged to develop the mass media into a strong and technology-based sector, and the government has already taken various steps to fulfil that commitment,” he said.
The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion and iftar mahfil held at the Upazila Parishad auditorium here this afternoon.
He said people have lost confidence in Bangladesh Television (BTV), the state-owned television network, adding, “We are working to ensure the autonomy of BTV in line with the government’s goals, alongside its overall development, in a bid to restore public confidence in the channel.
“We have to ensure the free flow of information in an effort to make BTV and Bangladesh Betar time-befitting,” the minister added.
“ We also have to be sufficiently aware of the need to provide necessary information and technology-based knowledge to protect people from misinformation.”
Addressing the administration, the minister said it should enhance cooperation so that press clubs and the mass media can operate independently.
The administration should remain vigilant so that journalists do not face any obstacles in performing their duties, he added.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) M Ibrahim, Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) M Mehedi Hasan, Barishal Press Club President Aminul Islam Khosru, Gournadi BNP Convener Syed Sarwar Alam Biplob, and leaders of the journalist forum, among others, attended the function, while Gournadi Press Club President Jahirul Islam Jahir chaired it.
