Masud Rana, Barishal

The government is actively working on forming a 'Press Commission' to safeguard the interests of media outlets and journalists, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahiruddin Swapan has said.

He added that an action plan and a draft proposal for the commission will be submitted to the government for approval very soon.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a views-exchange meeting with local journalists held at the Barishal Circuit House auditorium on Friday afternoon.

Elaborating on the prospective benefits of the commission, he said, once we successfully establish the Press Commission, the government will have a powerful tool to motivate honest journalists. At the same time, it will bring bad news for dishonest ones.

He further emphasized that the government has undertaken this initiative to make the media more responsible, accountable, and professional.

Presided over by Humayun Kabir, President of the Barishal Television and Multimedia Association (BTMA), the meeting opened with a welcome speech delivered by the organization’s General Secretary, Aktar Faruk Shahin.

Among other journalist leaders present, speeches were delivered by Barishal Journalist Oppression Prevention Committee ;President Nikunja Bala Palash and General Secretary Shaheen Hafiz ;Newspaper Editors' Council: President Kazi Meraj and Dainik Shahanama Editor Kazi Azad

Representatives from various media houses also addressed the event, including Saleh Titu (Banglavision), Mortuza Jewel (Dipto TV), Shahin Hasan (Nagorik TV), Sheikh Shamim (Mohona TV), Khondokar Rakib (Barishal Crime News), and Redwan Rana (Barishal City News).

During the meeting, the attending media leaders strongly urged the minister to take effective measures to ensure full freedom of the press, professional security for journalists, protection of fair rights, and a healthy working environment for the media.