Minister seeks body to define genuine journos

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Thursday said there is a need for an appropriate authority to determine who qualifies as a journalist and who does not.

He made the remarks while delivering a directive speech at the 34th meeting of the Press Accreditation Committee and the inaugural meeting of the newly formed committee at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The minister urged committee members to ensure that every decision complies with the Constitution, existing laws and relevant rules and regulations.

He advised them to exercise wisdom, foresight and an inclusive approach while making decisions so that the largest possible number of people can be accommodated.

Swapon said the committee’s decisions should be broadly acceptable and reminded members that they must work not as representatives of any political party but as responsible representatives of a government elected by the people.

He said the media is a pluralistic sector where people with diverse opinions, perspectives and ideas must coexist.

“Instead of making narrow or biased decisions, the committee should adopt an inclusive approach that accommodates the largest possible number of people,” he said.

The minister said the true strength of political leadership lies in making acceptable and inclusive decisions, even in difficult and sensitive circumstances.

He described the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as one of the state’s most politically sensitive ministries, saying even a minor wrong decision could create major political and social consequences in the future.

Swapon stressed that decisions should be made considering their long-term impact rather than focusing only on immediate outcomes.

He said the acceptability of the committee’s decisions would depend on the wisdom, experience and foresight of its members.

The meeting was chaired by Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed and attended by Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary (Routine Duty) Md Shah Alam, senior officials and members of the Press Accreditation Committee.