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Published on May 18, 2014
Hasina said her government believes in full freedom of the mass media, but "such freedom does not mean publishing or saying anything according to the will of individuals in the mass media".
The media should enjoy freedom through exercising objectivity, constructiveness and thoughtfulness, and it is the duty of the ministry to monitor this, she said.
She also suggested preparing broadcasting contents suitable to children and elderly people as well as programmes which could be enjoyed by family members together.
"The information ministry can play an important role in this connection," the premier told the officials.
She directed the ministry to be equipped with modern technology so that accurate and the latest information on development could be made available to all at home and abroad.
Referring to the rapid changes in information and communications technology, she said the government and private media should go ahead by keeping pace with change.
Hasina asked the ministry to prepare broadcast contents in light of the four basic principles of the constitution and make all-out efforts to inspire the new generation with the spirit of the war. She said her government had ensured free flow of information through enacting the Right to Information Act. Besides, transparency and accountability -- the prerequisite of good governance -- have been ensured.
The premier also listed other steps of her government, including introduction of journalists' assistance allowance from 2011, announcement of newspapers and film making as industry, and declaration of the eighth wage board for journalists.
But she regretted that "some people want to ignore the principle of democracy and journalism, don't want to abide by the constitution, and instead co-operate with militancy and terrorism, and confuse readers and viewers through a sugar-coated presentation of false information".
Prime Minister also said her government had ensured a free flow of information and created opportunities of introducing online media.
Terming 'responsible and free mass media' as an indispensable organ of a democratic system, Hasina said the information ministry had started its journey under the government of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman soon after liberation.
Source: The Daily Star
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