Bangladesh Press Council is creating a database to protect journalists and media outlets in the country. The message was stated by the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Dr. Hassan Mahmud after receiving the annual report of the Council-2020 from the Chairman of the Press Council. He said that now a days, anyone may introduces himself as a journalist only after opening a webpage or Facebook page and presenting news. Or, one may open a YouTube channel and get a journalist’s card. In order to protect the entire journalist community from those who commit misdemeanors under the guise of journalism, I requested the Press Council to formulate a policy by formulating a policy in consultation with the stakeholders. Doing so will bring order in the sector. The council have already started this effort by making a roadmap.
The Minister said, ‘The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the Press Council. As a judicial board, it was set up to settle disputes between readers and newspapers. The new law, which we have drafted to strengthen the institution in the face of time, has already been sent to the Cabinet. If it is passed in the parliament after its presentation in the cabinet, the power of the press council will increase.
The Information Minister thanked the Press Council for initiating the work of compiling the list of journalists on the basis of a policy, besides playing a role in training journalists and improving journalism.
When someone commits a misdemeanor with the identity of a journalist, but not a journalist in deed; it falls upon the whole journalistic community. To protect the journalistic community from such a situation, I requested the Press Council to formulate a policy for journalists and media outlets by formulating a policy in consultation with the stakeholders. I think it will bring order, it will reduce misinformation. True journalists and the media will get protection. The Press Council has already begun that work.
Press Council Chairman Justice Md Nizamul Haque Nasim, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Office Secretary Sebika Rani, The Daily Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Daily Jugantar Editor Saiful Alam, Daily Prabhat Editorial Committee President Muzaffar Hossain were present in the meeting room of the Ministry on Sunday (April 10). Director General of Bangla Academy Muhammad Nurul Huda, Member of Parliament for Dhaka-10 Md. Shafiul Islam, Editor of Daily Jatiya Aurthoneeti SM Kibria Chowdhury and Secretary Shah Alam were present.
