Govt wants free media, says Info Minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaliv Rahman Partha has stressed the need to ensure freedom for journalists and the media to work independently instead of controlling them.

He said one of the main responsibilities of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is to present the government’s activities to the people in a credible manner and strengthen the relationship between the government and the people. The minister made the remarks while exchanging views with officials and employees of the ministry at the Secretariat on Sunday after starting his work there for the first time.

The minister said the government’s good works must be communicated to the people while issues related to the country’s culture, values, religious values and the spirit of the Liberation War must also be given importance.

He said the current government took charge at a difficult time in Bangladesh’s history. Under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the government is making its maximum efforts. Mistakes may happen while working, but the government is in a strong position morally, he said.

Partha said the Prime Minister’s directive is to serve the country and give the highest priority to people’s interests. The media is one of the key pillars of democracy and played an important role in the struggle to establish democracy over the past 17 years.