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Mass media can give language to speechless: Hasan
DHAKA, May 3, 2021 (BSS) – Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr
Hasan Mahmud today said that the unlimited power of mass media can
give language to the speechless and can help the people to have
dreamed those who have forgotten to dream.
“I hope that the endless power of mass media will give language to
the speechless, help the people to have dreamed those who have
forgotten to dream and empower those who have no power,” he said.
Hasan continued: “The way the mass media is talking in favour of
the unexpressed of the society on the World Press Freedom Day will be
strengthened further.”
The minister made the comments marking the World Press Freedom Day
at the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat in the capital.
Earlier, Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary,
uncovered of a book title ‘Mon Kharaper Postar’ of poet and journalist
Mizan Malik.
Hasan said the mass media is working freely and independently in the
country which is an example before the developing nations. Even the
mass media in Bangladesh is enjoying more freedom than many developed
countries across the globe, he added.
The minister said much news have been published with wrong and
false information in Bangladesh. But no newspaper has been shut down
for publishing wrong and untrue news in the country,” he added.
No fine, he said, has to pay for spreading false and untrue news in
Bangladesh.
“The publication of 167-year old newspaper ‘News of the World’ was
shut down for publishing wrong information in the United Kingdom. The
executive officers of the BBC were forced to resign for broadcasting
wrong information about a representative of the House of Commons. But,
there is no such instance in Bangladesh,” said Hasan.
Terming the free and independent media as one of the prerequisites
of a multidimensional society, he said the flourishing of a democratic
society is not possible without flourishing of independent media.
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For this, the journey of private television and radio has been
started in the country with the help of Awami League government which
was not before here, he added.
Replying to a query over comments on Digital Security Act, Hasan
said there is no reason to agree with all the organizations that make
statements about the media in this country and in different countries.
“They collect data and information from specific places. And they
don’t seek any information from us or Information Commission. Their
comments are not correct and we do not agree with them,” he said.
The minister said the act has been enacted to ensure security for
all, not for a special group. There was no digital issue couple years
ago, so there was no question of digital security, he added.
He said many countries like the USA, the UK, European nations and
also India have formed such act to take actions against the offenders.
“There have Cyber Security 2015 in the USA, Cyber Security Act 2019 in
the European Union, Cyber Criminal Act 2001 in Australia and Cyber
Security Act 2018 in Singapore. Besides, such acts are also in
neighbouring India, Pakistan and Nepal and other countries,” he added.
The minister said the act has been enacted to ensure security for
all. “When any person or a journalist becomes the victim of a digital
attack, how would he or she get remedy without an act?” he posed a
question.
Hasan said, “But, like you, I also in favour of remaining careful
in using the act.”
Replying to another query about the confidence of people on the mass
media, the minister said the countrymen have more confidence on the
mass media.
“Recently, some incidents did not come as expected in the media, so
there is a lot of criticism through social media. But, the government
didn’t talk about this. We have a collective responsibility and the
mass media as well. True news must be served. No matter it is against
whom and no matter how powerful he is,” he said.
At the same time, the responsibility of the media is not only to
spread negative news, but also to focus the overall scenario of the
society.
In the launching ceremony of the book, Hasan extended thanks to its author.
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