Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that his government firmly believes in press freedom, reiterating a clear stance on the matter during a meeting with newspaper owners.
The prime minister made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon at a meeting with members of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) held at the Secretariat’s Public Administration conference room in the Cabinet Division.
“Our government’s position regarding press freedom is clear. Our government believes in press freedom,” the Prime Minister was quoted as saying by his Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh after the meeting.
The press secretary informed that the prime minister stated during the meeting that he regularly reads newspapers and watches television, giving importance to news in both print and electronic media.
“He follows up on published news and gives necessary instructions to concerned parties as needed,” Saleh added.
The meeting, which lasted from 2:20pm to 3:30pm, was followed by a lunch hosted by the prime minister for NOAB members. This was the first meeting with the association since Tarique Rahman assumed office on 17 February. The prime minister indicated that such meetings would be held at regular intervals.
At the outset, NOAB President and Daily Manabzamin Chief Editor Motiur Rahman Chowdhury highlighted the existing problems facing the newspaper industry, particularly the large outstanding bills for government advertisements from the tenures of previous governments, and sought the prime minister’s assistance in resolving the issue.
The NOAB members congratulated Tarique Rahman on BNP’s victory in the 13th National Parliament election and his election as Prime Minister.
The newspaper owners also drew the prime minister’s attention to the withdrawal of cases filed against journalists and the release of arrested journalists on bail.
The meeting was attended by NOAB Vice President ASM Shahidullah Khan, Treasurer Altamash Kabir, Member AK Azad, Daily Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, Inkilab Editor AMM Bahauddin, Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, Kartoya Editor Mozazzel Haque, Purbokone Editor Dr Rameez Uddin Chowdhury, and Financial Express Publisher Nasim Manzur.
