Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that arrangements are being made to provide technological assistance to journalists in cases of digital harassment. He also informed that the process of forming the 10th Newspaper Wage Board will begin very soon.
The minister disclosed this information on Sunday, April 19, while responding to written questions from opposition members Nurul Islam and Sheikh Monjurul Haque Rahad during a session of the Jatiya Sangsad.
The question was raised during the question-answer session presided over by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal.
In response to a question from MP Nurul Islam, the minister said the government has taken various measures to ensure the protection, capacity building, dignity, and a safe professional environment for journalists.
These include the formation of a “Journalist Protection Support Cell,” providing legal and technological assistance in cases of attacks or digital harassment against journalists, and special support arrangements for female journalists. Additionally, initiatives have been taken for digital security training, emergency welfare assistance, and establishing an integrated support framework for district-level journalists.
Responding to another question regarding television channels, the minister said there are currently four state-owned TV channels in the country. In the private sector, although 55 TV channels have been approved, 37 are currently in full operation.
He further noted that there are no pending approvals for new television channels at the moment, though future applications will be considered accordingly.
In response to another written question, the minister stated that the gazette of the 9th Newspaper Wage Board was last published on September 12, 2019. This time, the government is set to soon initiate the process of forming the 10th Wage Board.
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