Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Monday said no civilised country or society could move forward without journalism reflecting its realities like a mirror.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a meeting organised by the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust in collaboration with the Barishal District Journalists Union at the Barishal Circuit House auditorium.
“There is still no structure to patronise the journalism profession. But no civilised country or society can move forward if every aspect of society is not regularly reflected in the media through journalism like a mirror,” Swapon said.
He said the state and society must always be kept in front of a mirror, warning that they could otherwise move in the wrong direction and cause harm to the people.
He said performing that role was one of the principal objectives of journalism. Swapon said distinguishing objective information from the wider flow of information had become a major challenge.
He said two types of people were using the media, both carrying press cards. While one group was taking up the challenge of responsible journalism, the other was engaged in practices that polluted the profession.
As a result, he said, many people were calling for a clear definition of journalism.
“If we cannot distinguish between journalism used for blackmail and journalism that is essential for us, the state and society will not be able to properly support responsible journalism,” he said.
The government alone would not be able to carry out the task, he added. Noting that journalism offered little prospect of becoming wealthy, the minister said he respected those who had willingly chosen the noble profession.
He reiterated that the media served as a mirror for the state and society. “A civilised society cannot function without journalism. If we fail to sustain the profession, we will also fail to keep society and the state in front of the mirror at all times,” Swapon said.
He said responsible journalism must therefore be kept alive in the interests of society, the country and its people.
Highlighting the growing use of technology in the profession, the minister said journalism had evolved into data, video and audio journalism.
“The journalism profession must change with time,” he added.
Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Board member Kawsar Hossain Khandaker, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Publicity and Publication Secretary Shahjahan Saju and Barishal District Journalists Union President Azad Alauddin attended the meeting.
Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Managing Director Mohammad Abdul Bari presided over the event.
Journalists from different districts of the division, leaders of journalists’ organisations and officials concerned were also present.
Later, Swapon distributed financial assistance cheques among journalists.
Earlier in the morning, he planted saplings in the Charkaua area of Barishal.
