Institute to boost photojournos’ skills: Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said that an initiative will be taken to establish a training institute to transform photojournalists into timely and skilled manpower in line with the rapid changes in technology-driven media.
He said, “The media has now reached a new stage of technology-driven development. However, due to the lack of an institutional training system in the country, it has not been possible to develop manpower in line with these changes. As a result, it is very important for the organisation to establish its own training institute to enhance the skills of photojournalists.”
He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a views-sharing meeting of the Bangladesh Photojournalists Association (BPJA) in the capital on Wednesday.
The minister said, “Once upon a time, the main tools of journalism were pens and cameras for photojournalists. Now, a small device performs the work of television, radio, cameras, newspapers and even computers. This technological change has also brought about a major shift in the nature and responsibilities of photojournalism.”
He told photojournalists that times have changed and the nature of work has also changed. If these changes are not accompanied by a change in mindset, there is a risk of falling behind professionally.
The Information Minister further said that photojournalism is a powerful medium that can present the reality of history, humanitarian crises or war to the world through a single image. Citing examples such as the 1974 famine and the Vietnam War, which played an important role in shaping global public opinion, he said that a powerful image is sometimes more effective than a thousand words.
He said he would discuss with the Prime Minister the need to establish a training institute for the association to enhance the skills of photojournalists and hand over the building to them.
Regarding the wage board, the minister said, “It is the responsibility of the media industry to ensure respectable salaries for journalists working in the sector. To this end, initiatives will be taken to revise the wage board based on discussions and consensus with media owners.”
He also said that continuous discussions would be held with relevant stakeholders to resolve various professional issues of journalists, including accreditation cards and the expansion of photo sections.
Emphasising the role of the media in protecting democracy, he said, “Fascism is like a disease. Someone who is a democrat today can become a fascist tomorrow.
Therefore, the media must always remain vigilant.”
He called on victims to file complaints through legal channels to ensure justice for past incidents of journalist harassment and other abuses, saying this would help hold those responsible accountable under the law.
BPJA President AKM Mohsin presided over the event. Other speakers included Secretary Babul Talukder; Secretary General of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Quader Gani Chowdhury; DUJ President Shahidul Islam; Managing Director of Journalists Welfare Trust Basit Jamal; Chief Information Officer of the Ministry of Information Yakub Ali; BFUJ Vice President Rashedul Haque; BPJA Vice President Mashiur Rahman Suman; Joint Secretary Zahidul Islam Sajal; Organising Secretary Salequzzaman Chowdhury Rajib; Publicity and Publication Secretary Md Sourav; and Sports Secretary Khokon Sikder.
