(BSS) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called upon the media to play an active role in building a humane state and fostering humanitarian values among the people.

He made the call during an exchange of views with executives and heads of news of electronic media outlets at the Public Administration Hall of the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat today.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Prime Minister`s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly said the premier underlined the need for focusing economy, social issues, and humanitarian values instead of talking about politics all the time everywhere.

Shibly said Tarique Rahman highlighted the erosion of social sensitivity, noting that people often record incidents on video instead of helping victims.

Referring to incidents like a dog was being beaten or a person was being killed, the premier said instead of intervening, people were seen simply filming the incidents.

“We need to revive our sense of humanity and social responsibility. Journalists have an important role to play in this regard,” he added.

According to Saleh Shibly, the prime minister listened to the views and concerns of media representatives and expressed his intention to maintain regular engagement with the media in the future.

Abdul Hai Siddiqui of Bangla Vision, Zubayer Babu of Somoy TV, Loton Ekram of DBC News, Rashedul Haque of Mohona Television, Shafik Ahmed of Ekattor TV, Gausul Azam Bipu of GTV, Mohiuddin of Desh TV, Shariful Islam of News24, Zahirul Alam of Channel 24, Fahim Ahmed of Jamuna TV, Irfanul Haque Nahid of Nagorik TV, Ilias Hossain of RTV, and M.M. Badsha of Bangla TV, among others, also spoke.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon and Prime Minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly also addressed the meeting.

State Minister for Information Yaser Khan Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s advisers Zahed Ur Rahman and Mahadi Amin, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman and Prime Minister’s Speech Writer Mahfuzur Rahman were present.

The prime minister later hosted a luncheon for the senior media officials.