Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr. Nahid Islam today said that the caretaker government has ensured freedom of media along with freedom of speech and holding of rallies as he attributed the other major success of his government to not interfering in any media event.

“Freedom of the press, as well as freedom of speech and the holding of rallies were ensured during the caretaker government,” he told BSS in an interview marking the government’s hundredth day.

The adviser also said that neither his ministry nor the government had ever interfered in the media activities during the 100 days of the government as the media now enjoys maximum freedom to carry out their professional activities.

“We don’t know if the people of the country and the media have ever enjoyed such freedom in the history of 53 years since the Liberation War,” he added.

Noting the information ministry’s role in repealing the Cyber ​​Security Act, previously used to curtail press freedom and suppress political dissent, Nahid said, “The process of formulating a new policy is underway to ensure cyber security.”

“Since it was an autocratic situation in the country for 16 years, the compatriots had many words and claims accumulated during that period. And now he expresses himself. So, we try to make space for people to express what they want. to say,” he said.

Urging people to be patient with keeping faith in the government, the intelligence adviser said: “We may not be able to meet all their demands right now, but we are attentive to each of the rational demands.”

The ministry has been busy in the government’s first 100 days reforming its office, reshuffling officials following the change and making plans, he said.

Returning to the July revolution, he said the ministry has already collected huge evidence of the July uprising as publications and documentaries are produced within the ministry.

For the martyred and injured journalists, the ministry’s affiliated body Journalists Welfare Trust has taken initiatives to provide financial help and other facilities, Nahid added.

“We have plans to improve the quality of both journalists and journalism,” he said, adding: “The Media Reform Commission will come up with a road map and then we will work accordingly on that.”

Regarding the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, the counsel said, “We have spoken to the concerned authorities so that the legal proceedings are completed as soon as possible. We hope the people of the country will witness the trial during the interim government. “.

According to a report, the Ministry of Information has taken several initiatives to develop journalism, producing and broadcasting documentaries on fallen fascism, the July Revolution, and supporting the spirit of mass uprising during the last hundred days of the interim government.

The ministry prepared and forwarded the list of journalists injured and martyred during the July mass riot to the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust to provide financial aid, along with forming an eight-member committee to look into cases filed against journalists after July 1.

Following the directives of the ministry, Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust has already provided financial assistance worth Tk 2.36 crore to 350 journalists and introduced an initiative to award scholarships to deserving descendants of journalists.

In addition, the ministry has reconstituted several committees including the National Film Advisory Committee, Bangladesh Film Certification Board, Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Board, Jury Committee for National Film Award 2023 and also formed a committee search to propose qualified candidates for various boards and committees.

To uphold the spirit of July Revolution, the ministry of each institution including Bangladesh Television (BTV), Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) and Department of Films and Publications (DFP) successfully completed several programs while several others are in process.

Bangladesh Television aired a number of documentaries including “Agamir Bangladesh”, “The Diary of Fascism”, “The Stories of Suppression” and “The Screaming of Martyrs’ Families” and programs about the suppression and corruption activities of the ousted fascist government , as well as the story. of the July Revolution.

In an attempt to sensitize people about corruption and instill the spirit of building a non-discrimination country, the Department of Mass Communication carried out a wide range of activities, including screening 527 documentaries and films and organized 119 courtyard meetings and 173 music programs.

Bangladesh Betar’s major programs in the last 100 days include airing documentaries on fascism and state reforms, talks on building a non-discrimination country, musical ceremonies on the Chatra-Janata movement, Jari Gaan on money laundering, trade unions and market reforms and other programs about youth activities in the post-revolt period.

The national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) published 141 news and articles about the martyrs and injured in the July uprising, as well as 140 reports about the ousted fascist government’s corruption, suppression, crimes and crimes against humanity.

PIB will publish two editions of Nirikkha, a journal related to media and journalism, highlighting the anti-discrimination student movement, speeches by chief advisers and various aspects of media and journalism, along with the publication of 20 articles on martyred students, graffiti and the student’s role in traffic management.

Bangladesh Cinema and Television Institute (BCTI) organized a seminar titled “BCTI Activities to Build a Discrimination-Free Future Bangladesh” with the participation of teachers, students and representatives of various offices of the ministry.

The Bangladesh Press Council organized three brainstorming sessions with media personnel and stakeholders to ensure good governance in media institutions, eliminating discrimination, as well as to make the press council a more effective, gender-friendly institution. mass media and without discrimination.

Furthermore, the ministry directed the Department of Films and Publications (DFP) to produce documentaries on the wrongdoings of the ousted government, including corruption, suppression, enforced disappearances, politicization of various institutions, extrajudicial killings, suppression of freedom of expression, crimes against humanity. , the destruction of the electoral system and the recent murder.