Government to Take All Necessary Steps for Journalists’ Welfare: Information Adviser
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as well as the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has said that the government will take all necessary initiatives to ensure the professional and social welfare of journalists. She said due importance is being given to formulating required laws and regulations to this end.
She made the remarks on Monday while addressing, as the chief guest, the cheque distribution ceremony of financial assistance under the second phase of the 2025–26 fiscal year from the Bangladesh Journalists’ Welfare Trust, held at the conference room of the Information Building on Circuit House Road in the capital.
The Adviser said that just as free and fair elections play a vital role in strengthening democracy, responsible journalism based on national interest is equally essential. She emphasized that journalists must perform their duties with a sense of responsibility to safeguard the interests of the people. The financial assistance to journalists, she added, is part of the government’s democratic commitment. She also directed the concerned authorities to explore the possibility of providing such assistance directly to journalists’ bank accounts in the future and reiterated the government’s resolve to ensure an environment where journalists can work independently and freely.
The event was chaired by Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists’ Welfare Trust, Mohammad Abdullah. Among others present were Additional Secretary (Broadcast and Press) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Dr. Mohammad Altaf-ul-Alam, Director General of Bangladesh Betar A. S. M. Jahid, Director General of the Department of Mass Communication Md. Abdul Jalil, Director General of the Press Institute Bangladesh Faruk Wasif, and Director General of the Department of Films and Publications Khaleda Begum, along with journalist leaders.
At the ceremony, cheques amounting to a total of Tk 10.1 million were distributed, including Tk 0.6 million to the family members of two deceased journalists, Tk 6.9 million for medical treatment of 114 journalists, and Tk 2.6 million as financial assistance to 52 insolvent journalists.
After the programme, the Adviser visited the Department of Mass Communication, the Department of Films and Publications, the Film Certification Board, the Bangladesh Journalists’ Welfare Trust, and the Press Institute Bangladesh.