United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member and Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Tuesday said a state of chaos now prevails in the media sector,though consensus is gradually being built among all stakeholders to address the challenges. “Overall, I would rightly say that a kind of anarchic situation has been created. But the hopeful aspect is that we have been able to build a consensus among all sides,” he said. He made the remarks around 12pm while addressing a programme at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) auditorium where insurance claim cheques were handed over to family members of deceased journalists. Swapan said media owners and editors have already met the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, while television stakeholders are also expected to hold discussions with him. “From the Information Ministry, we are talking one after another with all stakeholders, and discussions with journalists are continuing regularly,” he said. The minister said some people misuse journalism under the cover of nmedia work, which ultimately harms professional journalists. “Good journalists often complain to us, saying: ‘Please define who the real journalists are. We came into this noble profession sacrificing many opportunities, but activities being carried out in the name of journalism are not being controlled by journalists themselves,’” he said. According to him, various unethical and unprofessional activities are being conducted in the name of journalism. Swapon said once the media sector is brought under a modern regulatory framework and commission-based rules, no party would be able to dominate another. “The government will not be able to directly control the media, owners will not be able to misuse journalists, and journalists will not be used for blackmailing,” he said. He stressed that all stakeholders should enjoy equal freedom and dignity while remaining accountable within an institutional structure. “Ensuring a culture of accountability and building an institutional framework is currently the top priority of the Information Ministry,” he added. The minister said the media sector has many stakeholders, including numerous licensed newspapers and television channels, and a large number of working journalists. He said ensuring journalists’ job security, distributing advertisements and incentives fairly, and determining who qualifies as a journalist all require a proper database. “There has to be an authority to certify who is actually a journalist,” he said. Swapan urged journalists to support accountability mechanisms, saying such systems make everyone more responsible. He said National Life Insurance handed over the cheques not only as part of business practice but also because legal obligations require services to be provided properly. “Building institutions that ensure services are distributed according to law and under mandatory frameworks is the work of a democratic and honest political government,” he said. The minister said democracy is not limited to voting day alone. “The main task of a democratic government is to build institutions that compel the state, government and all other institutions to fulfil people’s expectations between two elections,” he said. Swapon said the government is working with all stakeholders to formulate laws and regulations aimed at ensuring professional safety for journalists. At the same time, he encouraged journalists to explore and utilise the positive possibilities created by various private initiatives in society.