Published: 01:19 AM, 30 September 2026 Last Update: 01:26 AM, 30 September 2026
'Govt does not want to control media'
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhuryon Tuesday said the government does not want to control the media.
The government is committed to the development of professional journalism, improving media standards and ensuring the welfare of journalists said the state minister while speaking at an exchange meeting with executive committee members of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) at the ministry's conference room at the Secretariat on Tuesday, BSS reports.
He said the tendency to spread rumors by opening fake pages and online portals anonymously on social media has increased, which is having a negative impact on the society.
Noting that many people outside the mainstream media are spreading misleading information by using a mobile phone and identifying themselves as journalists, he said it is urgent to determine an acceptable definition and criteria for who is a journalist.
He said discussions will be held on this matter with BFUJ, DUJ, DRU, and other relevant journalists' organizations and editors. Meanwhile, the matter is also under review at the ministry and inter-ministerial levels. He mentioned that specific criteria are also needed in providing benefits from the Journalist Welfare Trust and in other policies. Assuring that the ministry will stand by DRU in resolving various problems related to the welfare of journalists, professional development, and the media, the State Minister said, "We will continue discussions with DRU on matters concerning the interests of journalists."
Noting the government's sincerity in implementing a timely wage board for journalists, he said, personal and institutional discussions will be held with the Ministry of Labour to achieve rapid progress on this matter.
At the meeting, DRU President Abu Saleh Akon said that the responsibility for looking after the problems of journalists lies with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
DRU has been cooperating with the government in ensuring the welfare of journalists and resolving their problems, and this trend will continue in the future as well, he said expressing hope that the government will take effective steps to ensure a media-friendly environment.
DRU General Secretary MynulHasanSohel said the organization is working as a non-political platform for the welfare and improvement of professional journalists. He called for necessary steps so that journalists are not harassed under the proposed Cyber Protection Act.
DRU Vice President Mehdi Azad Masum, Office Secretary RashimMolla, Women's Affairs Secretary JannatulFerdousPanna, Sports Secretary Omar FarukRubel, Cultural Secretary ManowarHossain, Reception Secretary AminulHaqueBhuiyan, and members of the Executive Committee were present at the meeting.
