PM reaffirms strong commitment to press freedom

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, during a meeting with members of the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) on Tuesday, expressed his government's strong stance on ensuring press freedom.

"He (Prime Minister) said his government believes in press freedom. He also expressed his government's firm stance in favour of press freedom," said his Additional Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, reports UNB.

He said the Prime Minister also told NOAB members that he regularly reads newspapers and watches television.

The Prime Minister said he keeps track of how the country is portrayed in the media and, when necessary, gives instructions to the relevant authorities to look into the issues, Rumon added.

He said Tarique Rahman listened patiently to the views of NOAB members and said such meetings with NOAB members will be held regularly after a specific time.

The meeting between the Prime Minister and NOAB members was held at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Secretariat. The meeting began at 2:20pm and ended around 3:30pm.

Rumon said the Prime Minister also joined NOAB members for lunch and later a group photo.

This was the first formal meeting with NOAB after the formation of the BNP government.

At the beginning of the meeting, NOAB President and Manab Zamin Editor-in-Chief Matiur Rahman Chowdhury spoke.

He highlighted the challenges facing the newspaper industry and sought the Prime Minister's cooperation in resolving them.

Rumon said NOAB members congratulated the BNP on its victory in the 13th parliamentary election and Tarique Rahman on becoming Prime Minister.

He said they also recalled that the newspaper industry was declared an industry during the BNP government in 2001, noting that it has now turned into a struggling sector.

The Additional Press Secretary said NOAB members pointed out that large government advertisement bills outstanding from previous governments remain unpaid, and sought the Prime Minister's support in this regard.

He said they also stressed the importance of regular  meetings between the government and newspaper owners and suggested that such meetings should be held every three months.

The meeting was also attended by NOAB Vice-President ASM Shahidullah Khan, Treasurer Altamash Kabir, members AK Azad, Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman, The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam, Inqilab Editor AMM Bahauddin, Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud, Karatoa Editor Mozammel Haque, Purbokon Editor Ramiz Uddin Chowdhury, and The Financial Express Publisher Syed Nasim Manzur.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, State Minister Yeaser Khan Choudhury, Information Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh, widely known as Saleh Shibly, and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon were also present.