Don't slam govt in a way that hampers dev

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged journalists not to criticise the government in a way that hampers the country's advancement or creates any scope for the enemies to speak against the government.

"I've no objection if journalists criticise [the government], but my ardent request to you is that your criticisms shouldn't deter the country's advancement and give the enemies any scope to speak. Please, keep it in mind," she said.

The PM was addressing a function at her office on the occasion of distributing donation cheques among the ailing and insolvent journalists and those injured in accidents and the family members of the deceased journalists.

Hasina said the advertisement rate for those newspapers that implemented the recommendations of the Eighth Wage Board for journalists, had been doubled.

In this connection, the PM said her government was closely monitoring those media outlets that were yet to implement the Eighth Wage Board. "We'll limit the facilities for those who will fail to implement the Wage Board."

Hasina said she does not fear or is not worried about criticisms, as constructive criticisms often create scopes for judging which is good or bad. The PM, however, said her government's support for the journalists would continue despite their criticisms.

Reminding the journalists about the ethics of journalism, she said such news should not be broadcast, telecast and published which assassinates the character of someone or any institution. Because, she said, once the character of someone is assassinated, that cannot be regained through rejoinders.

Citing the growing number of online media in the country, Hasina said the government was formulating the Online Media Policy, which would be implemented soon. This would help check the posting of some indecent pictures that are harmful to children.

She said the government has formulated the Broadcast Policy 2014, while the Broadcast Commission Act will be enacted as early as possible under this policy for the welfare of journalists.

Referring to the BNP-Jamaat's countrywide mayhem to oust the government, Hasina urged journalists to mobilise opinion and raise their voice against militancy and terrorism.

Out of 177 selected for the assistance, 63 journalists and their family members received donation cheques from the prime minister. The cheques for the remaining journalists would be forwarded through the respective branches of journalist unions or deputy commissioners' office.

Hasina said some 623 insolvent and ailing journalists have so far been given Tk 3.80 crore since the fiscal 2011-12 following the formulation of the "Journalist Assistance Allowance and Donation Policy-2012".

Hasina said "seed money" would be provided to operate this trust and urged the media owners, the elite in the society and businesspersons to donate to this trust to help the ailing and aged journalists or children of the journalists.

She said the journalists from both Dhaka and outside the capital would be able to avail the support from this trust.

The PM said the draft of the "Journalist Worker (Terms of Job) Bill-2015" had been framed and it would be possible to make it effective soon.

To address the journalists' accommodation problems, Hasina said initiatives have been taken to take a special project for allocation of flats among the journalists on higher purchase basis.

Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu, among others, spoke on the occasion.