In a meeting with journalists at a media house in Dhaka, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, MP stressed the necessity of implementing the Ninth Wage Board to ensure professional security, decent salaries, and job stability for journalists. He warned that without resolving the financial uncertainty of journalists, professional journalism would suffer and unethical practices would prevail.
Swapon highlighted the need for a respectable salary structure to retain genuine and talented journalists. He believes that once financial security is ensured, journalists can develop their talent, creativity, and professional skills independently. The minister also emphasized the importance of investment security for newspaper industry owners and state policy support to sustain investment in the media industry.
The minister noted that the government believes in media freedom and is committed to ensuring an independent media environment. He mentioned that the Prime Minister has been providing continuous directives to bring necessary reforms in the media and establish the required commissions. The government's goal is to build a modern, responsible, independent, and sustainable media system based on stakeholder opinions.
Addressing the challenges faced by the media, Swapon pointed out that the main challenge is not between the government and the media, but the collective fight against fake and misleading information. He noted the intense competition from digital platforms and stressed the need for mainstream media to adapt to technology to remain strong and competitive.
Several media personalities, including Daily Sun Editor Rezaul Karim Lotus, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Loton Ekram, and News24 Head of News Shariful Islam Khan, among others, also spoke at the event.
