Barishal: Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Friday said the government will ensure the highest level of media freedom by clearly defining the scope of accountability through consultations with journalists and all relevant stakeholders. ‘The aim is to guarantee unrestricted access to information for the people while determining accountability based on the opinions of journalists and other stakeholders,’ he told reporters after a meeting with district-level government officials at the Barishal Circuit House in the morning.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister emphasized the government’s desire to modernize the media management framework, acknowledging the outdated nature of the current system, which was established before the advent of technology-based media. ‘We have yet to fully adapt to the new media ecosystem driven by modern technology. The rapid expansion of technology-based media requires adjustments that could not be achieved earlier,’ he said.
He added that the government would gradually ensure free flow of information to the public by holding discussions with all concerned as part of its policy-making process. The intention is to modernize and bring the entire media system under a framework that reflects the realities of the digital age.
Earlier, the minister participated in an event where he distributed grant cheques of the BRTA among victims of road accidents. A total of Tk 21.7 million was distributed among 61 beneficiaries, with Barishal Deputy Commissioner Khairul Alam Sumon and other government officials present at the programme.