Govt Seeks Sustainable Media Environment: Information Minister

The government wants to ensure a sustainable environment for the media through policies rather than control, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said on Friday. He said such an environment would encourage investment in the media sector and help improve journalists’ salaries, working conditions and security. The minister made the remarks while addressing a seminar titled “The Role of the Media in a Sustainable Democracy,” organised by the Television Editors’ Council in Tejgaon, Dhaka, as the chief guest.

Emphasising that there is no alternative to independent journalism in strengthening democracy, Swapan said the government no longer exercises the kind of control over the media that existed in the past. Instead, he said, a free, responsible and objective press is essential to building a sustainable democratic state.

Describing journalism as a pillar of the state and society, Swapan stressed the need to protect the profession’s dignity and security. He urged media owners, journalists, advertisers and stakeholders to work together to build a stronger media landscape. He identified the battle between facts and misinformation as a challenge facing the media. Stressing the importance of objective, accurate and responsible journalism, he urged the media to combat false and misleading information.