The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on Monday lamented that a section of
the press is spreading ‘sugar coated’ false information and they are not
ready to follow the basic principles of journalism and democracy.
‘They even don’t obey the constitution. They’re out to misguide people
by giving false news and indulgence in terrorism and militancy.
Their activities would only encourage the anti-liberation force and
their followers,’ she said. The prime minister said this while
inaugurating the newly constructed eight-storied building of Bangladesh Press Institute in Dhaka.
Pointing out the current political situation, she said, her government
wants to uphold the constitution. In this regard, she urged the
journalists to support holding a free, fair and neutral election in the
country.
Information minister Hasanul Haque Inu, lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon, PM’s
media advisor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, chairman of PIB Habibur Rahman
Milon attended the function as special guests. Director general of PIB
Shah Alamgir gave the welcome address while acting secretary of the
Ministry of Information Murtaza Ahmed was in the chair.
Recalling the speech of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in
the first annual general meeting of Dhaka Journalists Union on July 16,
1972, the prime minister said, ‘Bangabandhu told that democracy lies on a
principle. Journalism has a principle too. We can resolve many problems
if we keep it in mind.’
In today’s context, the quote of Bangabandhu is still relevant.
Democracy might be endangered if responsible persons act opposite to
their words, she said.
Mentioning the attachment of Bangabandhu with media people, the prime
minister said, Bangabandhu, if he would not be a politician and
pathfinder of the nation, would surely be a journalist. During his
student life, Bangabandhu was the local correspondent of the Daily
Ittehad published from Kolkata.
Sheikh Hasina said media is now enjoying highest freedom than ever
before. However, misuse of this freedom might bring detriment for the
media itself and people of the country, she warned.
The prime minister said, now-a-days, we see ‘expertise opinion’ on all
issues from a section of people. They neither have any responsibility
nor accountability to people. But, media should play a role to bring
every people under the jurisdiction of accountability for their words
and actions.
Terming the media as one of the important pillars of the state, the
prime minister said, journalists are the lifeline of media. So their
professional excellence is required in country’s interests.
Pointing out her party’s electoral pledge in 2008 for building a Digital
Bangladesh by 2021, the prime minister said, her government has
guaranteed the full freedom of media and free flow of information.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is more or less a digital country now.
Digital facilities were extended to rural areas over the last five
years. All media, students, professionals, rural women, farmers,
patients and people of every section are enjoying this facility, she
said.
The prime minister said online media is now booming in the country while
use of social websites is on the rise day by day. But, the digital
facilities are also being misused. So social awareness is required to
check its abuse, she said.
The prime minister announced constituting a trust fund for welfare of
journalists saying the fund will be created with seed money from the
government. Journalists can collect money for this fund from other
sources.
Awami League government laid the foundation stone of the PIB building on
February 8, 2000. But, the project made no progress during the five
years of BNP and caretaker government.
The present government refurbished the project creating more facilities
in the building and completed the construction at a total cost of
Tk 9.54 crore, she said. (source)