Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon announced that the government is taking steps to establish a wage board and a structured pay scale for journalists. This initiative aims to ensure fair salaries and uphold professional dignity through consultations with media owners.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Swapon made these remarks during a views-exchange meeting with photojournalists held at the Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association auditorium in the capital. The meeting was chaired by the association's president, AKM Mohsin, and attended by notable figures, including Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, Bangladesh Photojournalist Association General Secretary Babul Talukdar, and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Shahidul Islam.
Swapon emphasized that treating media as an industry requires compliance with relevant laws in recruitment and operational activities. He stressed the importance of balancing investor interests with workers' rights, expressing hope for a balanced solution. He also highlighted the rapid technological changes and urged photojournalists to upgrade their skills, suggesting the transformation of the association's building into a modern training center to strengthen professional capacity.
The Minister underscored the media's role in safeguarding democracy, warning against the emergence of fascism. He called on journalists to remain vigilant and noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is committed to preventing the abuse of power by instructing MPs and ministers not to take undue privileges.
Swapon criticized the previous Awami League government, stating that those who claimed legitimacy in 2009 could not withstand the situation on August 5, 2024. He assured justice for journalists who faced repression and lost their lives during fascist actions. The meeting also covered discussions on professional development, training, and various demands of photojournalists.