Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said Bangladesh’s two-step advancement in world democracy index and seven-step in the list of the world happiest countries proved that democracy and good governance have been consolidated in the country .
The minister made the remarks while presiding over the cheques distribution function of Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust (BJWT) at Karabi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital, said a press release of the information ministry.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina distributed cheques among sick, injured, insolvent journalists and their family members, the release said.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker gave the welcome address at the function.
Dr Hasan said the concept of the journalists welfare trust is the brainchild of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and she was the first who declared that it will be better to establish an fund than to provide assistance. After that, a welfare fund was formed and later the journalists’ welfare trust was established, he added.
He said the trust has truly become a dependable source of financial support for journalists and their families who are in crisis or have been killed in the country.
The information minister said the journey of private television and radio began under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said there were only 10 television channels in 2008 and now 35 TV channels are on air while more seven to eight will be on air soon. The number of newspapers was 400 in 2009 while the number is now about 1250, said Dr Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
He said a vast revolution has taken place in the country’s mass media sector and it has been possible only for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and media friendly policy adopted by the Awami League government.
He said democracy has also developed along with the development of the media.
On the other hand, he said, the opposition parties specially BNP leaders are claiming that they have no rights of expressing opinions though they are making statements round the clock.
He said Bangladesh has made two-steps progress to secure 73rd position in the world democracy index despite BNP claimed that country’s ‘democracy is under threat’.
He said Bangladesh is leaving behind India and Pakistan securing the 94th position in World Happiness Index while India’s position is 136th, Pakistan 121st and Sri Lanka is 127th, he added.
This is the proof of good governance under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said Dr Hasan.
He said the mass media enjoy freedom. But responsibility is needed. ‘News of the World’, one of the oldest famous newspapers, was shut due to publishing the wrong news.
The information minister said an entire team of BBC had to resign for broadcasting false news against an MP. Even the director general of the BBC had to resign a few days ago, he added.
Such kind of scenario has never been happened in Bangladesh, he continued.
The minister urged the mass media to be aware of responsibility along with freedom.
Taka 6.15 crore were distributed among 742 journalists in 2022-23 fiscal year and Taka two crore 29.80 lakh were distributed among 2,298 journalists as prime minister’s special assistance during COVID-19 situation.