BSS-09 PM-JOURNALISTS-CHEQUE-2 LAST DHAKA

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ZCZC

BSS-09

PM-JOURNALISTS-CHEQUE-2 LAST DHAKA

The prime minister distributed cheques of Taka 85 lakh among 113
journalists.

Pointing out the personal relation of Bangabandhu with country’s famous
journalists and his involvement with journalism profession for some time as
the correspondent of the daily Ittehad in Kolkata, the premier said she also
consider herself as a family member of journalists.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu had absorbed most of the journalist in
suitable government job and gave monthly allowance following closure of the
newspapers except four in 1974.

Bangabandhu had done this as most of the newspapers even could not
afford to give salary to the newsmen due to financial crisis, she said,
adding that Bangabandhu had formed a committee with senior journalists but
unfortunately many members of that committee emerged as critics after his
assassination.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has opened mass media for private
sector aimed at creating job opportunities. Newspaper industry has also been
flourished in private sector as her government also given permission when
anybody wanted to publish a newspaper.

The prime minister said she constituted the welfare trust for the
journalist at her personal interest as she personally had observed the woe
days of journalists particularly when they fall in financial crisis.

Sheikh Hasina thanked the daily Ittefaq and Machranga Television for
giving donation to the journalist welfare trust fund, urging the owners of
other private newspapers and television channels to make their contribution
to the fund.

The prime minister has assured the journalists of enacting the
Bangladesh Newspaper Services Condition Act as soon as possible, adding a
broadcasting commission act would also be enacted and an online policy would
be framed to check spread of obscene contents in the online media.

To resolve the housing problems of the journalists, poets, litterateur
and writers, the premier said the government would take steps to facilitate
the journalists to buy residential flats on hire-purchase method and monthly
installment equivalent to monthly house rent.

Sheikh Hasina voiced her optimism that “as an independent nation, we
would live with dignity and her government is doing everything with sincerity
whatever is needed for this.”

“We have tried our best to ensure welfare of the people. I don’t know
how much we became successful or didn’t, and people would judge it,” she
said, adding that “as I have got the opportunity I’m discharging my duties as
the servant of the people.”

BSS/AKH/GMR/1446 hrs