Adviser for information and broadcasting Md Nahid Islam on Sunday said that there would be no room for corruption and nepotism in his ministry.
鈥榃e are trying to build a corruption-free Bangladesh. We will work together to attain this goal. We will utilise the opportunity that we got [through revolution],鈥� he said.
Nahid made the comments at a view-exchange meeting with chiefs of offices affiliated to the information and broadcasting ministry and journalists at his ministry in the secretariat.
At the onset of the meeting, one-minute silence was observed commemorating the martyred students, people from different ages and journalists.
鈥榃e got a new Bangladesh through another bloody atmosphere. The young generation is dreaming anew, creating new aspirations. We joined this government to reflect those aspirations,鈥� he said.
Nahid, also posts, telecommunications and information technology adviser, urged the heads of the offices under his ministry to remain watchful so that autocracy could not arise again in the process of rebuilding the country with new hopes and aspirations.
鈥榃e witnessed what kind of brazen interference was imposed on the freedom of the press, mass media and the freedom of expression in Bangladesh. We do not want such incidents to happen in the future.鈥�
He emphasised reviewing the controversial laws and regulations to ensure complete freedom of speech.
The adviser assured of standing by the journalists who were killed and received injuries during the anti-discrimination movement, waged by students and mass people.
He said that the salaries of reporters at junior level were very poor while in many cases the salary structure was not followed by the media outlets.
鈥楽o, there is the need for a policy regarding the salary structure. If we cannot encourage talented people in journalism, it will not progress.鈥�
The adviser said that steps would be taken to make information and broadcasting ministry offices dynamic and modernised within the quickest possible time. Also, censor board committees would be reformed soon.
About film industry, Nahid said that the aspirations of the younger generation should be reflected in the films and the films under screening in the censor board should be released soon, if these did not breach the rules and regulations, without indulging in nepotism or considering personal identity.
He said that the country鈥檚 people knew what kind of farce was made regarding Sagar-Runi murder.
鈥榃e will do everything possible from the government and the ministry to investigate every incident of killing and torturing journalists and the perpetrators will be brought to book.鈥�
He said that the government was mulling to form an independent mass media commission. Steps would be taken after discussing with the journalists to this end.
Nahid put emphasise on reviewing the Cyber Security Act.
Senior secretary of the information and broadcasting ministry Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker and other senior officials of the ministry along with journalists were present at the meeting.