Free, responsible media can take country forward

The role of free, independent and responsible media is very crucial in order to take the country forward, said Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday.

In addition to that, he said, independent and responsible media is important in building a multifaceted society.

The minister made the remarks while speaking from his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2020.

He said the country's journalists and others engaged in media are working with a great risk amid this global coronavirus pandemic. He also spoke about journalist Humayun Kabir Khokon who died from coronavirus infection he contracted while on duty and prayed for the salvation of his departed soul.

The minister said the present government believes in freedom of the press. This is why the media saw huge progress and expansion after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009, Dr Mahmud added.

The number of dailies in the country increased to 1,294 in 2020 from 445 in 2009, while that of weeklies to 1,208 now from 208 in 2009, he said.

He said the number of state-run televisions was two in 2009, but it is now four. The number of private television channels was 10 in early 2009; now 45 private television channels have got permission to operate, said the minister, adding that there was no FM radio in 2009, but now 24 FM radio stations have got permission and most of them are in operation.

There was no community radio in the country in 2009 whereas 32 community radio stations have been given permission now, he said, noting that many of the permitted community radio stations are in operation.

These statistics show that Sheikh Hasina and her government believe in freedom of the media, he added.