Public-private partnership vital for journalists’ welfare: Mahfuj

Staff Reporter :

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuj Alam on Monday emphasized that both public and private initiatives are essential to ensure the welfare of journalists, particularly their professional and social security.
“The government alone cannot meet all the needs of journalists’ welfare.

The private sector must also come forward in this regard,” he said, calling on insurance companies and other private organizations to play a proactive role.

He made the remarks while speaking at the signing ceremony of a group insurance agreement held at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

The event was chaired by Dhaka Reporters Unity President Abu Saleh Akon. Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union Acting President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, Bangladesh Insurance Association President Sayeed Ahmed, and National Life Insurance PLC Managing Director Kazim Uddin and DRU Vice-President Gazi Anwar also addressed the gathering.

DRU General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel moderated the programme.
At the event, National Life Insurance PLC signed an agreement to provide coverage for nearly 2,000 DRU members.

Highlighting government measures, the Adviser noted that the Bangladesh Journalists’ Welfare Trust distributes financial grants to a large number of journalists every three months. In the last fiscal year, scholarships were also awarded to meritorious children of journalists. Since the current interim government took office, the activities of the Welfare Trust have been further expanded, he added.

Mahfuj also informed that the draft ordinance on journalists’ protection has already been sent to the legislative department, while work is underway to implement the ninth wage board.

Speaking on the July Uprising, he urged journalists to bring forward the stories of those who made sacrifices during the movement, stressing the importance of honoring the martyrs and injured by presenting their contributions to the people.