Make constructive criticism of govt, Azad urges newsmen
Saturday, 23 January 2010
JESSORE, Jan 22 (BSS): Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad said here today the present government believes in free flow of information so it passed the Right to Information (RTI) Act in the maiden session of the ninth Jatiya Sangsad.
"The government also constituted the Information Commission to make the RTI Act effective," the minister said while exchanging views with local journalists.
Reminding the journalists that they had also responsibilities to publish correct news, the minister called upon them to make constructive criticism of the government.
"You (the journalists) have the rights to criticise the government but don't confuse the people by disseminating wrong information," Mr Azad added.
Criticising the previous BNP-Jamaat alliance government for its five-year rule from 2001, the minister said during the period the country was turned into a complete hell due to their misrule, intimidation, killing and harbouring terrorism.
The information minister highlighted various successes of the present government saying that the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been able to keep all its commitments given before the last general elections.
"During the first year of the present government, prices of essential commodities and agri-input including fertiliser have been reduced to a great extent," Mr Azad said.
Referring to the agreement with India on using Chittagong and Mongla ports, the minister said new employment would be created and economy will be more dynamic if the use of these ports is increased.
"The government also constituted the Information Commission to make the RTI Act effective," the minister said while exchanging views with local journalists.
Reminding the journalists that they had also responsibilities to publish correct news, the minister called upon them to make constructive criticism of the government.
"You (the journalists) have the rights to criticise the government but don't confuse the people by disseminating wrong information," Mr Azad added.
Criticising the previous BNP-Jamaat alliance government for its five-year rule from 2001, the minister said during the period the country was turned into a complete hell due to their misrule, intimidation, killing and harbouring terrorism.
The information minister highlighted various successes of the present government saying that the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been able to keep all its commitments given before the last general elections.
"During the first year of the present government, prices of essential commodities and agri-input including fertiliser have been reduced to a great extent," Mr Azad said.
Referring to the agreement with India on using Chittagong and Mongla ports, the minister said new employment would be created and economy will be more dynamic if the use of these ports is increased.