Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said that the role journalist-friendly Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina played in the welfare of journalists and development of media is unprecedented.

“We believe that criticism makes the way sharper and conducive for work. The freedom of press prevailing in Bangladesh is an example for the developing world,” he said.

The minister said this while addressing the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) conference at the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday.

Presided over by BFUJ President Omar Faruque and moderated by Secretary General Dip Azad, the conference was also addressed by Dhaka Union of Journalists President Sohel Haider Chowdhury and other BFUJ regional leaders.

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Hasan Mahmud said that the number of newspapers has increased to 1,260 from 400 in the last 15 years. “There are 35 TV channels in operation today and at least five more channels will be added soon.”

“When a journalist dies, his family gets Tk 3 lakh as donation from the welfare trust. If any journalists become sick, they also get donations. We have amended the rules of the trust, from now on, meritorious students and children of indigent journalists will also get grants,” the minister said.

Hasan said, “You know what BNP did on October 28 in the name of rally. Journalists do not support any party, they went there to collect news. More than 32 journalists were injured, 20 of whom were from BNP beat.”

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While talking about the wage board, the minister said, “The Prime Minister formed the 9th wage board but it was postponed as some newspaper owners filed a case.”

“I have already asked the ministry to submit the file of starting the process of forming the 10th wage board.”