State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat today said the Bangladesh Journalist
Welfare Trust (BJWT) is an evidence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led governments goodwill in protecting journalists.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believes in the expansion and freedom of the media and the welfare and protection of journalists too," he said.
The state minister said this while chairing the 30th meeting of the BJWT Trustee Board at his ministrys conference room in the Bangladesh
Secretariat here this afternoon, according to a press release.
Keeping pace with the expansion of the countrys media in the last 15 years, he said, different initiatives have been taken for ensuring the overall welfare of the journalists.
"In 2014, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina established the BJWT by enacting the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust Act. The formation of
this trust proved that the government, led by her, is the journalist-friendly one," the state minister said.
Noting that the BJWT regularly provides financial assistance to destitute, insolvent and injured (in accident) journalists and families of deceased journalists, Arafat said the trust is going to provide Taka 2.08 crore as financial assistance to journalists and their families in the third and the last phase of the current financial year.
Process is underway to launch a scholarship programme for meritorious children of journalists under the BJWT, he said, adding, these activities are the manifestation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her governments commitment to ensure protection and welfare of the journalists.
The state minister reiterated the need for ensuring more transparency and professionalism in selecting journalists in providing welfare grants from the trust.
Senior Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Vice-Chairman of the BJWT Trustee Board Md Humayun Kabir were present among others. —BSS
