Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that freedom of the media will be ensured by defining the scope of accountability based on the opinions of all stakeholders, including journalists, to ensure the free flow of information to the public.
He made these remarks in a Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) cheque distribution ceremony for road accident victims held at the Barishal Circuit House conference room on Friday.
Zahir said, “I want to bring media management into a modern framework. We have not yet been able to connect with new media within the modern technology-based global system and ecosystem.”
He further noted that technology-based media did not exist when the Ministry of Information was originally established.
“The adaptation needed for the expansion of technology-based media that has occurred now has not happened over all this time,” he added. “I have taken responsibility and will gradually ensure the free flow of information to the people by discussing with everyone in the government’s policymaking.”
Prior to the briefing, Zahir distributed BRTA cheques worth Tk2.17 crore among 61 victims from Barishal and Pirojpur districts.
The ceremony was presided over by Barishal Deputy Commissioner Khairul Alam Shumon. Special guests included BRTA Chairman (Additional Secretary) Abu Momtaz Saad Uddin Ahmed and Police Superintendent Farzana Islam, alongside other departmental officials.
Following the event, Zahir participated in an exchange meeting with district-level officials. He informed that the new government’s promises have been announced, including the decision to waive agricultural loans of Tk10,000 and the commencement of Family Card and Farmer Card projects.
Addressing current digital hurdles, the minister identified misinformation and disinformation as the ministry’s most significant challenges. “I have taken it as a challenge to protect the general public so that they do not become victims of false or baseless information,” he said.
