United News of Bangladesh

Media freedom holds no value if it is not accountable to people, said Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam on Saturday pointing to the importance of media responsibility. The adviser was speaking at an iftar party and discussion organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Tathaya Bhaban in Dhaka. The adviser spoke about the importance of understanding the true value of media freedom, and criticised the media's role over the past 16 years, saying that journalist forums have been influenced by business syndicates and political groups. "This is unfortunate for our nation," he added, pointing out the harm caused by such alliances. Mahfuj also talked about the upcoming media reforms, saying that discussions would be held with the relevant stakeholders in line with the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission to establish discipline within the media. Media Reform Commission's recommendations to be implemented: I & B Adviser Mahfuj He assured that the government would take necessary steps to raise the wages and benefits of media workers to a reasonable level. To ensure true media freedom, the adviser said journalists must be liberated from the influence of media owners and editors, and called for the collective cooperation of media owners, journalists and other related parties in the media reform process. Information Secretary Mahbuba Farjana, along with the heads of departments and agencies under the ministry and leaders of journalist forums attended the event.

The government will work to implement the Media Reform Commission's recommendations for the benefit of journalists, said Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam on Saturday. He said that if a system existed to pay journalists regular salaries and allowances, welfare grants would not be necessary. He made these remarks while distributing welfare grants to the families of deceased journalists and sick and indigent journalists, organised by the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust at the Information Building in Dhaka. The adviser also said that efforts will be made to create a journalist-friendly system through discussions with media owners, editors, and other stakeholders. He assured that necessary steps would be taken to expand the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust’s scope of work. Govt to act on immediate media reforms: Dr Yunus Information Secretary Mahbuba Farjana, speaking as a special guest, highlighted the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s efforts for journalists’ welfare. She urged journalists to play a responsible role in combating rumours and propaganda, emphasising the need for objective news that protects the country’s interests. Chaired by Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Managing Director Muhammad Abdullah, Media Reforms Commission Chief Kamal Ahmed, National Press Club General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan, and journalists Muhammad Khairul Bashar, Sajid Arafat, and Mir Mushfiq Ahsan, also spoke. During the event, donation cheques worth over Tk 1.93 crore were distributed to 374 journalists and their families, including 11 families of deceased journalists and 192 journalists suffering from various complex diseases.

The Media Reform Commission will submit its report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Saturday. The commission will hand over the report at 12pm at the State Guest House Jamuna, said Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Friday. Tenures of five reform commissions extended until March 31 The media will be briefed following outside Jamuna at 1pm following the event. On November 18, the interim government formed the 11-member Media Reform Commission with an aim to make media independent, stronger, and objective. 6 reform commissions' reports made publicly available Journalist Kamal Ahmed is heading the Media Reform Commission.