Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government will undertake necessary measures to ensure enhanced media freedom by addressing current inconsistencies, taking into account the perspectives of journalists. During his visit to the private television station Channel I, Swapan emphasized the need for both politics and media to move beyond authoritarian practices to align with public aspirations.
According to United News of Bangladesh, this visit marks Minister Swapan’s first engagement with a media outlet since his appointment. Channel I’s leadership, including Managing Director Faridur Reza Sagar and Directors Mukit Majumder Babu, Zahir Uddin Mahmud Mamun, and Shykh Seraj, welcomed him. In recognition of his long political journey, Sagar presented Swapan with a commemorative plaque entitled ‘From the Madhur Canteen to the Ministry’.
During a subsequent exchange of views, participants addressed challenges facing the media such as external interference in news management, the impact of disinformation in the AI era, broadcast digitisation, and financial constraints of television channels. The discussion also touched on journalists’ professional security and salary structure. The Minister highlighted the importance of all stakeholders acting responsibly and responding to the public’s call for change, as demonstrated on August 5.
Channel I News Department’s key figures, including Chief Executive Editor Zahid Newaz Khan and Chief News Editor Mir Masrur Zaman, along with other journalists, participated in the meeting. The minister was also shown a music video produced with AI technology, described as a pioneering effort in the country’s television history.