Staff Correspondent: Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said freedom and accountability both are the most crucial in the advancement of mass media.

“Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had formed the Press Council aiming to ensure independence of the mass media, so that, media can act properly as the mirror of the society,” he said, addressing a discussion at Press Council auditorium in the city.

The minister said the press council was formed so that media can refrain itself from publishing false and untrue information.

Bangladesh Press Council (BPC) organised the discussion marking the ‘Bangladesh Press Council Day’.

State Minister for Information Dr Murad Hasan, Information Secretary Khaja Mia, BPC members Awami League Advisory Council Member Mozaffar Hossain Paltu and senior journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury addressed the discussion as special guests with BPC panel chairman Advocate Syed Rezaur Rahman in the

chair.

Mentioning that the Press Council has been working with utmost sincerity

since its inception, Hasan said, “Today is the Press Council Day. The day has

been observed since 2017. The role of mass media is the most important in

creating a multidimensional society. And we believe in free flow of

information and freedom of mass media.”

The minister said the state is moving ahead indomitably under the dynamic

leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the country saw an exponential

growth of mass media in the last 12 years.

“Everyone should keep in mind that accountability comes along with

freedom”, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

He said it should be ensured that one’s freedom does not infringe on

another’s independence and interfere with other’s freedom of expression.

The minister said the government is working to amend Press Council act to

increase its power so that the council can play an active role in ensuring

both freedom of the press and accountability.

Hasan said the government is working for creating a multidimensional

society to move the nation ahead. But, when the country is moving forward,

vested quarters begin conspiracies at home and abroad, he added.

“We should remain alert against the conspiracies. And we will work together

to move the country forward,” the minister said.

Murad, in his speech, greeted all concerned of Press Council and all mass

media employees marking the Press Council Day. He hoped that the BPC would

play more pivotal role in the days to come.

Khaja Mia said, “It is our responsibility to move ahead the press council

established by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu for the interest of the

country, its people and mass media.”

Before joining the discussion, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud talked

with newsmen.

Replying to a query over a comment of BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the

minister said there might be two reasons of his (Rizvi) speech. “One is that,

like the way they conspired against Bangabandhu, they have been involved in

various conspiracies against the government for 12 consecutive years. Being

isolated from mass people, they have chosen the path of conspiracy,” he

added.

Another is that they are now dependent on destiny after isolating from the

people, the minister said.

Replying to another query about BNP’s rally, Hasan said, “I saw and heard

the speeches of BNP leaders at newspapers and televisions. If the gathering

of hundreds of people in Dhaka city out of 2 crore people is a huge

gathering, the world is getting smaller for BNP and it is necessary to

understand how isolated they are from the people.”

And, yesterday they blocked the road despite repeated requests from the

police to create a disturbance, he said, adding police performed their duties

for the common people.

Earlier, Information Minister Dr Hasan, State Minister for Information Dr

Murad, Information Secretary Khaja Mia and Advocate Rezaur Rahman hoisted the

national and BPC flags and released pigeons.