Information State Minister Yaser Khan Chowdhury has said that the government is planning to undertake short-, medium- and long-term initiatives to make the country’s media and film industries modern, contemporary and internationally competitive. Speaking to this correspondent, he said necessary initiatives would also be taken to enable newspapers, online media, radio, television and social media platforms to play a more effective role in the country’s development and progress.
The Information State Minister said the media sector needs to modernize its structures, technologies and working methods in line with the changing times. The government will also place importance on enabling Bangladesh’s media outlets to work in coordination with international standards and practices. In this regard, cooperation from newspaper, radio and television authorities, as well as journalists, is essential, he said.
He said a comprehensive plan would also be formulated for the development of the country’s film industry. Alongside long-term planning, initiatives would be taken to improve infrastructure, introduce modern technology and promote creativity in the film sector. He added that the government would implement the plans while giving due importance to the Prime Minister’s advice.
Yaser Khan Chowdhury further said newspapers are not merely a means of disseminating news; they serve as an important bridge between the people, the state and society. Newspapers should play a responsible role as friends of the people in the country’s development and democratic progress, he said.
At the same time, he stressed the need to strengthen the role of the media in providing objective news, highlighting issues of public interest and giving voice to people from different sections and professions of society.
The Information State Minister claimed that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is a media-friendly political party and that BNP-led governments have taken various initiatives for the development of newspapers and the media sector while in power. He said necessary measures would also be taken in the future to further develop and modernize the newspaper industry.
He said the world is changing rapidly, while advances in digital technology are transforming the nature of the media as well as the expectations of readers and viewers. Bangladesh’s media sector must therefore enhance its capabilities and adapt to these changes, he said.
He also emphasized the importance of making newspapers and other media organizations more technology-driven and modern, alongside improving the professional skills of journalists.
Speaking about journalists, Yaser Khan Chowdhury said they play an important role in bringing the concerns and aspirations of people before society. In particular, journalists have a significant responsibility to highlight the problems and expectations of workers, low-income groups and disadvantaged communities.
He expressed his commitment to working in cooperation with journalists to further develop the country’s media sector and create a supportive professional environment for them.
People close to the Information State Minister have claimed that his activities have already generated enthusiasm among journalists within a short period. They expressed hope that his initiatives to create a journalist-friendly environment and address various problems facing the media sector would continue.
The Information State Minister said coordinated efforts by the government, media owners and journalists are essential to making the country’s media sector more modern, capable and internationally competitive. Through mutual cooperation, he said, the media can play a more effective role in the country’s development and in promoting public welfare.