Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government is developing a plan to address the ongoing issue of journalists’ access to the Secretariat by introducing accreditation cards for media houses.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister discussed this plan during a view-exchange meeting organized by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat Media Centre. The proposed accreditation system aims to streamline entry procedures while ensuring security and maintaining a proper database of journalists entering the premises.
The meeting, chaired by BSRF President Masudul Hoque and moderated by General Secretary Ubaidullah Badal, served as a platform for Swapan to outline the benefits of the proposed system. The minister emphasized that the new arrangement would simplify journalists’ access to the Secretariat, enabling them to perform their professional duties without obstacles.
Swapan mentioned that he has already held discussions with the Home Minister to facilitate this process. The plan involves media houses selecting designated representatives who would be granted entry to the Secretariat, thereby reducing the pressure on entry management and ensuring that only authorized journalists are present for professional purposes.
The minister further elaborated that the proposed system would involve issuing one or more accreditation cards to media houses, which would help maintain a database of representatives entering the Secretariat on any given day. He stressed the importance of adhering to existing policies and ensuring that the accreditation system aligns with institutional procedures.
Swapan assured that if any journalist faces unfair exclusion, the government would take steps to provide accreditation card facilities in line with policy guidelines.