Dhaka: Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon today emphasized the crucial role of media in maintaining transparency and good governance in the banking sector. Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Good Governance in the Banking Sector and the Role of Media,’ organized by the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) in Paltan, he highlighted the media’s responsibility as an objective mirror of society.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister stressed that the media’s objectivity is essential for accurately reflecting reality. He remarked, ‘The media is a mirror through which society sees itself. If there are qualitative flaws within this system, it cannot present an accurate reflection.’ He further underscored the necessity of a robust fact-checking mechanism to ensure the credibility of media outlets.
The seminar, supported by United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB), was chaired by ERF President Daulat Akhtar Mala, with General Secretary Abul Kashem conducting the session. Notable speakers included Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Nurun Nahar, The Financial Express Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, and UCB Managing Director and CEO Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, among others.
Minister Swapon highlighted the interconnectedness of media’s role in the banking sector with the country’s overall governance and political processes. He pointed out the government’s efforts in strengthening administrative, media, and anti-corruption frameworks, hinting at the possibility of reforms in the banking sector through the formation of a banking commission to address structural weaknesses.
He also discussed the importance of enhancing the capital market alongside the banking sector to ensure balanced economic growth. Addressing concerns over recent restrictions on journalists’ access to the central bank, he emphasized the importance of information access over physical access to specific locations, stating, ‘Transparency is the first condition of good governance.’
The minister praised economic journalism for its role as a watchdog in banking sector governance and urged journalists to maintain investigative rigor and objectivity to protect public interest and the right to information. The seminar was attended by members of the ERF executive committee, senior economic reporters, banking experts, and media representatives.