Today, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman outlined the government’s unwavering position on press freedom throughout the nation.
According to Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, the premier stated the position during a meeting with members of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) at the Public Administration conference room at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat here.
He stated, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated the government’s strong position on press freedom at the meeting.”
The chairman of the ruling BNP, Tarique Rahman, stated that he frequently watches television and reads newspapers.
The Prime Minister also said he takes updates on the issues reflected in the media and gives necessary instructions to the concerned accordingly.
Ruman said the premier listened to NOAB members patiently and said that such views exchange meetings with them would be arranged at regular intervals.
According to the supplementary press secretary, NOAB President and Manab Zamin Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury addressed at the beginning of the meeting, outlining the current issues facing the newspaper business and requesting the Prime Minister’s assistance in finding solutions.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was congratulated by NOAB members on forming the government after winning the 13th National Parliament elections by a wide margin.
They stated that newspapers were recognized as an industry in 2001 under the BNP government. They claimed that the media sector has now become a sick sector.
Noting that huge government advertisement bills accumulated during previous governments remain unpaid, NOAB leaders sought the Prime Minister’s support in this regard.
Emphasizing regular meetings between the government and newspaper owners, the Prime Minister opined that such meetings should be held every three months.
NOAB members drew the Prime Minister’s attention to withdraw the cases filed against journalists during the previous interim government and sought his support regarding bails of arrested journalists.
The meeting started at 2:20 pm and ended at 3:30 pm. The Prime Minister joined a luncheon with NOAB members.
Later, Tarique Rahman took part in a photo session with NOAB members. This was the Prime Minister’s first formal meeting with NOAB after the BNP formed the government.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, State Ministrer Yeaser Khan Choudhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, NOAB Vice President ASM Shahidullah Khan, Treasurer Altamash Kabir and members AK Azad, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, Inqilab Editor AMM Bahauddin, Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, Karatoa Editor Mozammel Haque, Purbokone Editor Dr Ramiz Uddin Chowdhury, Financial Express Publisher Nasim Manzur were present at the meeting.
Prime Minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly was also present at the meeting.
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