Govt moves to introduce Wage Board, ensure fair pay for journos: Swapan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has said the government is working to formulate a wage board and a structured pay scale for journalists through consultations with media owners, with a view to ensuring equitable remuneration and safeguarding professional dignity, reports BSS.

He made the remarks while addressing a view-exchange meeting with photojournalists at the Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association auditorium in the capital on Wednesday.

Association president AKM Mohsin presided over the meeting that was addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, Bangladesh Photojournalist Association General Secretary Babul Talukdar and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Shahidul Islam.

Zahir Uddin Swapon said that if the media is recognised as an industry, recruitment and operational practices must comply with relevant laws. He added that while investors should be able to safeguard their investments, workers' rights must also be protected, expressing optimism that a balanced solution can be achieved.

Referring to rapid technological advancements, he noted that modern devices now integrate the functions of television, radio, camera, and computer, urging photojournalists to upgrade their skills accordingly.

He also emphasised the need for a dedicated training institute and proposed converting the association's building into a modern training centre to enhance professional capacity.