Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Friday said the media will determine the scope of accountability, while the state will be responsible for ensuring freedom within that framework.
He made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at a memorial programme organised by the Barishal Press Club in the afternoon.
“We all understand the importance of journalists’ freedom. If the boundaries of accountability are set by the media, then it is the responsibility of the state to ensure freedom within those boundaries. Accountability and its limits will be determined by the media, and the state will guarantee freedom,” the minister said.
Swapan emphasised that the definition of journalism must be set by journalistic institutions themselves. “The Ministry of Information will place that definition within a structured framework, but the primary responsibility rests with journalists,” he said.
Describing journalism as a noble profession, he added that its definition cannot be imposed from outside. He assured that journalists’ opinions would be considered in framing policies and determining facilities related to the profession.
Highlighting the evolving nature of information, the minister said society has changed significantly over the past five decades.
“We are living in a transformed society where the definition of information has changed. It no longer matches what it was 50 years ago. These matters are being given due importance,” he said.
The programme was chaired by Barishal Press Club President Asinul Islam Khasru and moderated by General Secretary SM Zakir Hossain.
Among others present were Barishal Range DIG Manjur Morshed Ali, Additional Divisional Commissioner (Police) Ahsan Habib, Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Khairul Alam Sumon, Superintendent of Police Farzana Islam, former General Secretary of the National Press Club Elias Khan, former BRU General Secretary Moshiur Rahman Khan, and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel.
