Minister Urges Transition of Traditional Media to New Media Ecosystem
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called on traditional media to move toward a transformation into new media. He said that many institutions related to the media sector, including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, are still operating within outdated structures. According to him, modern journalism cannot be effectively conducted under such old frameworks. To enter the world of new media from traditional media, a structured transformation process is necessary. The government intends to formulate a roadmap for the media sector in consultation with journalists, through which the media can be transformed into a digitalized and modern media ecosystem.
The minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at an iftar and prayer gathering organized in honor of members of the Dhaka Sub-Editors Council (DSEC) on Monday at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall of the National Press Club in the capital.
Zahir Uddin Swapan said the government’s objective is to establish a journalism culture in the country that meets international standards. To achieve this goal, the government will ensure full freedom of the media while also formulating necessary policies through consultations with journalists.
He noted that bringing qualitative change to the media requires dialogue with professionals from different levels of the journalism profession.
The minister said sub-editors essentially play the role of the backbone in any media organization. They bear the crucial responsibility of turning raw information into publishable news and transforming footage into news content.
He further said that the extent to which a media house can make its news acceptable to the public, readers, and viewers largely depends on the skills, competence, and experience of its sub-editors.
Zahir Uddin Swapan said the government believes in full freedom of the media. However, to ensure that such freedom does not turn into disorder, necessary guidelines for practicing that freedom will be determined through discussions with journalist leadership. He expressed hope that these policies would emerge from within the journalism community itself.
The minister also said that although privately owned media organizations operate under a market economy, it is essential to ensure fair wages and a dignified working environment for journalists. He added that independent journalism cannot flourish in an environment lacking dignity and security.
He informed that a comprehensive policy for the development of the media sector will soon be formulated and presented to the relevant stakeholders.
The event, presided over by Dhaka Sub-Editors Council President Muktadir Anik and moderated by General Secretary Jaohar Iqbal Khan, was also addressed by Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, National Press Club General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Md. Shahidul Islam, and General Secretary Khurshid Alam.
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