Dr Hasan Mahmud
FM Hasan holds bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Nepal, Botswana, Belarus, Qatar, Indonesia
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud had a series of meetings on the sidelines of the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held in Kampala, Uganda on January 19-20.
He had the meetings with Narayan Prakash Saud, Foreign Minister of Nepal, Lemogang Kwape, Foreign Minister of Botswana, and Sergei Aleinik, Foreign Minister of Belarus.
At NAM Summit Dhaka seeks support for Palestine, redoubling efforts for Rohingya repatriation
In a busy day in Kampala, the Foreign Minister had meetings with State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikh and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Pahala Nugraha Mansury.
His counterparts congratulated the new government in Bangladesh and, particularly, Dr. Hasan Mahmud for assuming his new role.
FM Hasan Mahmud to deliver national statement at NAM Summit
The Foreign Minister discussed various issues of mutual interests including political, economic and strengthening people to people relations.
He is set to have a few more bilateral engagements today and Sunday.
Hasan Mahmud is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the third South Summit of the G77 and China scheduled on 21-22 January 2024.
FM Hasan Mahmud to lead Bangladesh delegation at South Summit in Uganda
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Muhammad A Muhith and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Kenya and Uganda Muhammad Tareque among others are accompanying the Foreign Minister.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim honoured with Who’s Who Bangladesh Award
Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim has been honoured with the ‘Who’s Who Bangladesh-2022’ award for his outstanding contribution to journalism.
He received the prestigious award from Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at the award giving ceremony in a city hotel on Tuesday, said PM’s Assistant Press Secretary MM Emrul Kayas.
The Who's Who is a leading source of biographical data on more than 33,000 globally distinguished people in the fields of agriculture, art & culture, academia, media, social work and sports. It has been published annually since 1849.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen presided over the 'Who’s Who Bangladesh-2022’ Award ceremony organised for the fourth time here. The first three award ceremonies were held in 2016, 2018 and 2020.
This year, 12 other winners of the award are Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam in the education category, Runa Laila in arts and culture, Kohinur Kamal of Meridian Agro in agriculture, Dr. Augustine Cruze in arts and literature, Sulaiman Ajanee of Standard Finis Oil Company in entrepreneur, Prof Dr Sharfuddin Ahmed in professional, Abu Sadeq of SS group in corporate, president of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Kazi Rafiqul Islam in social work, shooter Sabrina Sultana in sports, Nasima Akter Nisha in women entrepreneur, artist Rafiqun Nabi in lifetime achievement, and Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit in institutional category.
Read more: Tarafder M Ruhul Amin gets Mother Teresa Int'l Award
In previous years, the Who’s Who Bangladesh Awards were given to the eminent citizens of Bangladesh including Prof Anisuzzaman, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Dr Rafiqul Islam, Shyek Shiraj, Aly Zaker, Mustafa Monwar, Hassan Azizul Hoq Selina Hossain, Shamsuzzaman Khan, Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, Toab Khan, Golam Sarwar and Bibi Russell.
The purpose of the award is to highlight and acknowledge people who have played, and continue to play, vital roles in the development of Bangladesh in various areas such as entrepreneurial business, social work, charitable contribution, fair politics, improving human rights, civil service, law enforcement, education and the media.
The Who’s Who Bangladesh publishes the biographies of these awardees on the same day and circulates them around the world in order to draw attention to their contribution to society.
Read more: 2 Bangladesh projects win 2022 Aga Khan Award for Architecture
TV channels can offer only one foreign serial at a time: Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Saturday that no TV channel in the country can broadcast more than one foreign serial at a time.
The minister said this while addressing virtually as the chief guest at the third broadcast conference of Broadcast Journalist Center-BJC at Bangla Academy in the capital afternoon.
This decision was made to protect the history, heritage and culture of the country, he added.
Also read: Abandon those who want to make Bangladesh a communal country: Hasan Mahmud
Hasan Mahmud said the media is one of the pioneers of the country that should not be used to protect the interests of the owners. The government has agreed with the journalists on the changes and amendments to the Media Workers Act and is awaiting the written proposal of the top organization of journalists, said the minister. So there is no room for debate, he added.
Syed Ishtiaq Reza, one of the trustees of BJC, presided over the function.
Also read: Online news portals cannot legally broadcast talk shows, bulletins: Hasan Mahmud
BJC President Rezwanul Haque Raja, Member Secretary Shakil Ahmed, Directors Rashed Ahmed, Nur Us-Safa Zulhaj, BFUJ President Omar Farooq, Former President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, DRU President Nazrul Islam Mithu, DUJ President Sohail Haider Chowdhury among others were present on the occasion.
BNP lost the right to do politics, says Information Minister
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday alleged that BNP has lost the right to do politics by writing letters to foreigners to stop aid for the people of Bangladesh.
“BNP has resorted to the path of plots as the party has got isolated from people. Mirza Fakhrul (BNP secretary general) himself wrote letters to stop foreign assistance for Bangladesh,” he said.
Dr Hasan, also a joint general secretary of Awami League, said foreign aid comes to the country for people, not for the government. “The political party that wrote letters to foreigners to stop the assistance for Bangladesh has no right to do politics in this country.”
He came up with the remarks while distributing warm clothes and Covid-preventive materials, on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at Awami League’s central office at the city’s Bangabandhu Avenue.
Also read: BNP fears about its political future: Hasan
Awami League’s sub-committee on relief and social welfare arranged the programme.
Referring to media reports, Hasan Mahmud said BNP had a meeting on Sunday presided over by fugitive accused Tarique Rahman. “There’s an order from the High Court that no news can be run on Tarique Rahman. But I saw the report on it in the media. This is a violation of the High Court order.”
He said BNP has become politically so bankrupt that it has made Tarique, a convict, its acting chairman by amending their party charter.
Dr Hasan also said BNP carried out false campaigns against the coronavirus vaccines. “They (BNP leaders) should now aplogise to people for circulating false information about the vaccines.”
"We’ve given booster doses of corona vaccines also to those who criticised us. BNP leaders who have not yet taken the booster doses, we’ll also be provided with the booster doses so that they can stay well and healthy. But you please don't criticise us unnecessarily,” he said.
Dr Hasan said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the step to enact the law on the formation of the Election Commission to consolidate democracy.
Also read: BNP sold out the War of Liberation sharing power with anti-independence forces: Quader
The minister said BNP is unnecessarily opposing the law as the party has been suffering from ‘no’ syndrome. “This party used to say ‘no’ regarding everything. We fear this party will lose its existence someday due to the impact of the ‘no syndrome’.”
No worries about bank account details of journalists: Minister
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said journalist leaders have no reason to be worried about their bank account details sought by Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU).
Speaking at the annual general meeting (AGM) of a faction of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), the minister also said the government is trying to bring discipline in the mass media by removing various problems.
Dr Hasan said he tried to look into the matter after seeing a report in the newspaper on seeking bank account details of 11 journalist leaders by the BFIU.
"The government can of course seek bank account details of anybody for any reason. But I don't think there's any reason to be worried about it. I know those whose bank account details have been sought. I also know the financial condition of many of them,” he said.
The DUJ’s AGM was held at the Jatiya Press Club with its president Quddus Afrad in the chair.
The BFIU of the Bangladesh Bank issued letters to the commercial banks asking for details of bank accounts of 11 journalist leaders last week.
The ministers said journalists themselves demanded removing chaos in the mass media and he is trying to do it in consultation with media persons. “This process is going on, and discipline has already been restored in many cases.”
Read: JPC condemns BFIU as it seeks bank account details of 11 journalists
He said the government is going to enforce the existing laws in the country so that foreign channels cannot show any advertisement without permission from October next.
Dr Hasan said they are also trying to ensure discipline in the case of IP TV as its registration process will start very soon.
About journalists’ concern about the Digital Security Act, he said this law has been enacted to ensure digital security to all people of the country. “There’re such laws all over the world, including in our neighbouring countries. Even, there’re tougher laws there.”
The minister said journalists or anyone else can get redress under this law if they are subjected to character assassination digitally. “So, the Digital Security Act is needed. At the same time, it should be ensured that this law does not hinder the professional duty of journalists.”
Speaking at the programme, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said those who engaged in the great profession of journalism have a deep responsibility and duty towards the country and the nation.
He called upon the journalists to brighten the country’s image in the international arena through depicting the real scenario of the country through objective journalism.
Info Minister for strengthening Dhaka-Delhi people-to-people ties
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday laid emphasis on strengthening people-to-people contact between Bangladesh and India.
While inaugurating the Bangabandhu Media Centre at the Press Club of India (PCI) in New Delhi, he said the Centre will facilitate efforts to boost ties among people of the two countries, especially journalists.
Minister Hasan said the relationship between Bangladesh and India reached a new height under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart Narendra Modi.
He, however, said they still have to work to strengthen people-to-people relations, and the Centre will definitely strengthen the ties between the two countries.
The Information Minister depicted the short life sketch of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh in his speech.
Bangabandhu guided Bangladesh to the path of Liberation and the country would not have been born if Bangabandhu were not born, he mentioned.
He also expressed his special thanks and gratitude for the contribution of India to our independence.
The Minister mentioned the role of journalists and media is very important for enhancing the bilateral relationship of India and Bangladesh.
A documentary on the life of Bangabandhu was screened at the inauguration programme.
Read: Inauguration of Bangabandhu Media Centre at Press Club of India Monday
Earlier, he inaugurated the “Bangabandhu Media Centre” at the Press Club of India (PCI).
Inauguration of Bangabandhu Media Centre at Press Club of India Monday
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud will open the “Bangabandhu Media Centre” at the Press Club of India (PCI) on Monday, demonstrating a growing friendship between the two countries on all fronts.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran, Jatiya Press Club (JPC) President Farida Yasmin and former PCI President Gautam Lahiri will speak at the inaugural ceremony to be chaired by PCI President Umakant Lakhera.
The Information Minister reached New Delhi on Sunday to attend the ceremony and have a number of meetings there, a senior official at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting told UNB.
The Media Centre, set up with support from Bangladesh Mission in New Delhi, is an effort to pay tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Action against unregistered news portals, IPTVs soon, says Hasan Mahmud
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday warned that stringent measures will be taken against unregistered online news portals soon.
“Online portals are being launched every now and then by anyone and everyone which has become a matter of great headache for all concerned,” he said.
“We have recognised the authentic ones and some have been shut down,” he said adding that registration process is still going on.
“After registering a few more, we will start taking actions against the unregistered ones,” the minister said.
Also read: Govt. to permit some IPTVs this month, says Hasan Mahmud
He said that the same procedure will be followed for IPTVs.
He added that no IPTVs around the world are allowed to publish news.
“Even the personnel of registered IPTVs won’t be able to carry press cards like reporters,” he said.
The minister came up with this information while speaking at an event of Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association on Wednesday.
Also read: Hasan Mahmud warns of clampdown on IP TVs
A portal of the organisation, crabnewsbd.com was launched at the event,
Earlier on Aug 2, Hasan said approvals will be given to some Internet Protocol Televisions (IPTV) within a month.
“We did not give any permission to any IPTV yet. We have asked the authorities concerned to apply for registration and some 600 applications have been submitted. We will give approval of some IPTV within this month after scrutiny,” he said.
Don’t judge Rozina issue emotionally: Info Minister to journalists
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday urged journalists to look at the issue of Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam from a realistic point of view instead of considering it emotionally.
“Look at Rozina Islam issue from a realistic point of view instead of looking at it emotionally,” he told the leaders of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ).
The BJUJ leaders met the minister at his Minto Road residence a day before a Dhaka court’s order on the bail petition of Rozina in a case filed against her under the Official Secrets Act.
Also read: Rozina to get fair judgement: FM tells CNN
BFUJ president Molla Jalal, acting secretary general, Abdul Majid, senior journalist Syed Ishtiaque Reza, Dhaka Union of Journalists’ (DUJ’) joint secretary Khairul Alam, executive member Ibrahim Khalil Khokon and senior journalist Motahar Hossain were, among others, present.
Earlier, the newly-elected committee of Directors Guild, an organisation of television drama directors, met the minister at his residence.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Hasan alleged that an anti-state quarter is trying to take advantage of the incident involving Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam in the Health Ministry on May 17.
Also read: Order on journalist Rozina Islam’s bail Sunday
"The Rozina Islam incident has been politicised as the anti-state quarters have become very active to take advantage of it by capitalising on it,” he said.
The minister said, “No one is above law -- neither a minister and a secretary nor Rozina Islam. We’ve to be careful so that the anti-state elements can’t use any of our activities as a weapon to harm the country."
Besides, he said, various anti-state elements, who conspire against the country and spread false propaganda staying abroad, have also been seen to be very active over the incident.
Also read: Drop all "oppressive charges" against Rozina: HRW
The minister said Khaleda Zia’s former deputy press secretary Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari got a reply from an official on overall media by asking a question at the regular press briefing at the UN Secretary General's Office. “There’s an evil effort to conduct a campaign over that reply that it was the UN’s concern over the Rozina Issue. “The statement of a UN official and the UN’s concern are not the same at all.”
Dr Hasan said he got information on social media about collecting official documents from the Shipping Ministry and Home Ministry by Rozina in the past the same way she did it in the Health Ministry on May 17 and managing work for her husband’s business. “As an investigation is going on, these things will come out.”
About BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s comments on the incident, Dr Hasan said as BNP is speaking on the Rozina issue and it is clear that there is an attempt to give it a political colour.
AL succeeded in ‘depoliticisation’ process: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that the government has started the process of ‘depoliticisation by spreading panic and false propaganda' in the country.