Dhaka: Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust today distributed cheques worth Taka 20.50 lakh to 24 journalists of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and Rangamati. Managing Director of Journalists Welfare Trust Muhammad Abdullah distributed the cheques among the journalists as the chief guest at a function held at the ATM Zafar Alam Conference Room of the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner’s office this morning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Muhammad Abdullah highlighted that during the tenure of the current government, the Journalists Welfare Trust has provided Taka 2.90 crore as financial assistance to indigent journalists. He assured that this assistance will continue in the future and emphasized the increased freedom the media is currently experiencing. Abdullah urged journalists to utilize this opportunity to counteract the spread of misinformation and to play a more responsible role in presenting objective news during this era of free journalism.
Muhammad Abdullah also announced plans to provide annual fellowships to journalists and mentioned ongoing work to include insolvent senior journalists in the monthly allowance programme. The Journalists’ Welfare Trust is actively working on formulating policies to support these initiatives. Furthermore, the Trust has initiated multiple steps for the financial security, healthcare, and overall welfare of journalists. This includes providing scholarships to the talented children of journalists.
The event was presided over by Cox’s Bazar Acting Deputy Commissioner Nizam Uddin Ahmed and was addressed by District Information Officer Abdus Sattar, BFUJ Acting President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, Cox’s Bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman, and Cox’s Bazar Journalists’ Union President Nurul Islam Helali. Senior government officials and leaders of various journalist organizations were also present at the function.