The state minister for Information and Broadcasting, Muhammad Ali Arafat agreed with the demands of journalists to bring social media under a policy and accountability. He also said that action will be taken after talking to journalists and other stakeholders in this regard. He told so in a meeting with Broadcast Journalist Center (BJC) leaders in the Meeting Room of the ministry on Wednesday.
He said, since journalists have insisted on the need to bring all social media including YouTube and Facebook under a policy and accountability, I as the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting agree with this demand and will try to fulfill it by discussing with journalists.
Regarding providing broadcasting or internet services in disregard of existing laws, he said, legal action will be taken against those involved in irregularities.
Referring to the meeting with various journalists’ organizations, Mohammad Ali Arafat said that, “I have received another proposal from various journalists’ organizations to formulate a policy to determine the qualifications and quality standards of journalists.”
He said, ‘No media organization can fire employees without giving notice or all in a sudden. Similarly, the media workers cannot leave their jobs at any moment without giving time to the organization.’
If this is done, both the owner and the working journalist can file a complaint, he said.
He said, “You (professional journalists) want a policy to determine the qualifications of journalists to bring discipline in the media. We will work it out with you.
The state minister said, ‘A separate effective law will be made for broadcasting media. The law will be properly utilized for the protection of working journalists, publication of news in the media. Action will be taken against many who are doing business without Cleanfeed. Anyone can create any content. The prevailing law of the land does not support it.’
BJC Chairman Rezwanul Haque Raza, Member Secretary Shakeel Ahmed, Treasurer Manas Ghosh, Trustee Board Member Syed Ishtiaq Reza and others were present in the meeting.
