State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat said that institutional initiatives will be taken to protect environmental journalism.
This was said by the state minister in the speech of the chief guest at the discussion meeting titled ‘Perspective of Climate Politics and Role of Media’ organized by National Press Club on the occasion of World Free Media Day 2024 at Jahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of National Press Club in the capital today Saturday (May 4).
In this regard, the State Minister further said that if any journalist or any reporter faces any kind of problem by the local or so-called influential people while practicing journalism on the environment, the government will ensure full support, cooperation and protection of those journalists or reporters. . This is because the position of the government nationally and centrally is in favor of environmental protection.
He further said that Bangladesh is the least responsible but the biggest victim for putting the environment in disaster. That is why Bangladesh has to work with the role of leadership on the world stage. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we are vocal about this on any platform in the world and here we work in an inclusive process with the government, civil society, mass media.
He added, if any person or group endangers the environment for the sake of individuals or groups within the country and any journalist or reporter has to be in danger while doing journalism on that issue, the government will stand by them and take full measures to protect them. If necessary, institutional initiatives will be taken on this issue. Because the government thinks that while practicing journalism, those who highlight the deviation issues at the local level are helping the government, helping the country and the people.
At this time, the state minister also said that we want to do sustainable development keeping the environment in mind. Just as we want to protect the environment, we want to continue the economic development by protecting the environment, we want to move forward. In terms of economic development, many people try to create controversy about development projects. The environment is often used as a shield. If it is objective journalism that uses the environment as a shield to stop development, it cannot be called professional journalism.
He also said that there needs to be several institutional safeguards for those who will do journalism with integrity, courage and professionalism. Journalist Welfare Trust works for the welfare of those associated with journalism. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina started the activities of this trust with a donation. We want to work with those who are truly involved in the journalism profession, from the Journalists Welfare Trust. Some more such initiatives will be taken for the protection of journalists. The government is also working on the kind of policies that need to be taken to create financial independence for journalists.
Regarding the recent position of Bangladesh in the World Press Freedom Index conducted by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the State Minister said that the publication of RSF’s index is a good initiative. However, there are many weaknesses in their methodology. The views RSF is taking on scoring in different countries reflect the views of some people. It is in no way a reflection of the media freedom environment of the entire country. This is not happening in any country. But at the same time, if there is any truth or our weakness in this kind of report, we will take it into consideration and try to correct it.
Jatiya Press Club President and Member of Parliament Farida Yasmin presided over the discussion and gave a welcome speech by Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Shyamal Dutta. Former President of Jatiya Press Club Shaukat Mahmud, President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Omar Farooq and President of Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh Nurul Islam Hasib addressed the discussion meeting. Dr. BRAC Climate Change Program Director presented the article entitled ‘Climate Politics: The Role of Journalists’ Md. Liaquat Ali.
Meanwhile, the State Minister for Information and Broadcasting was present as the chief guest in another discussion meeting organized by the Editor Council on the occasion of World Free Media Day 2024 at Tafazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of National Press Club this morning.
In the discussion meeting, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting said that the position of the government is mainly in favor of environmental protection. We have and will remain committed to ensuring not only environmental protection, but also free press, protection of mass media and full freedom of media. However, as in politics there are many cases of apathy, as in various professions there are some negative aspects, we often see the spread of misinformation even with such information. In the field of journalism we also see slander which focuses on any subject. But not only I say this, our journalist friends also say it.
At that time, the state minister also said that the more free the media is, the more they practice independence and the more the flow of information against misinformation increases, the more rumors and misinformation will be prevented in the society. Government considers mass media and professional journalism as friends of government. They support the government.
President of the Editors’ Council Mahfuz Anam gave further speeches in the discussion meeting, President of Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh and Member of Parliament AK Azad, Vice-President of the Editors’ Council and General Secretary of the National Press Club Shyamal Dutta, Executive of Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (BELA) Director Syed Rizwana Hasan, Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan, Dainik Desh Panwaran Acting Editor Mustafa Mamun.
Visits: 1
