New Info Minister calls for free, open journalism
Newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Barrister Andaleeve Rahman on Sunday called on officials to work together to ensure transparency and accountability in government activities while creating an environment for free and open journalism.
Newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Barrister Andaleeve Rahman on Sunday called on officials of the ministry and its departments to work collectively to ensure transparency and accountability in government activities.
He made the call at an introductory meeting with officials and employees of the ministry at the ministry meeting room at the Secretariat.
The minister said the media was one of the pillars of democracy and stressed the need to restore an environment where journalists could work freely.
“Our main struggle for the past 17 years was to reestablish democracy in the country. Our main goal is to ensure an environment of free and open journalism by breaking the culture of control that was imposed on the media during the fallen government,” he said.
Referring to the context of the July Movement, Andaleeve Rahman said there was no scope to undermine the contribution of the media or journalists.
“The people have the right to know information and it is the moral responsibility of the government to present to them what we are doing correctly,” he said.
The minister also expressed confidence in the experience and skills of ministry officials and called for collective efforts to ensure that government decisions and information served the public interest.
“You are much more experienced in administrative work than I am. We will all work together to deliver accurate information to the people and in the interest of the country, so that none is suffered by our any wrong or unjustified decision,” he said.
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman also spoke at the meeting, which was chaired by Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana.
Before the meeting, officials and employees of the ministry greeted the new minister with flowers.
Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Kamal Uddin Shabuj also greeted Andaleeve Rahman with flowers.
Officials of the ministry and heads of different departments under the ministry attended the meeting.
Andaleeve Rahman assumed charge as the newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister as the government reshuffled portfolios.
His remarks at the introductory meeting focused on media freedom, government accountability and the public’s right to receive accurate information.
