Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan addressed an iftar and doa mahfil organized by Dhaka Sub-Editors Council (DSEC) at the Jatiya press Club today. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Mar 09, 2026 (BSS)- Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said the government aims to support develop an international standard journalism in the country.

“To achieve this goal, necessary policies will be formulated through discussions with journalists alongside ensuring full freedom of the media,” he said.

The information minister was addressing an iftar and doa mahfil organized by Dhaka Sub-Editors Council (DSEC) at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall of Jatiya press Club here today.

Chaired by DSEC President Muktadir Anik and moderated by its General Secretary Jawhar Iqbal Khan, it was also addressed by Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abu Abdullah M Saleh, Secretary General of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Kader Gani Chowdhury, General Secretary of the National Press Club Ayub Bhuiyan, President of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Md Shahidul Islam, and its General Secretary Khursheed Alam.

The minister said dialogue with the people of different professions is essential to bring qualitative changes in the media sector, describing sub-editors as the backbone of any media organization.

“Sub editors play a crucial role in making raw information publishable and transforming footage into news content, he said, adding, acceptability of news among readers, viewers and the public largely depends on the skills, competence and experience of sub-editors.

Zahir Uddin Swapan said the government believes in full freedom of the media. “In consultation with the leaders of journalists, necessary rules for practising this freedom will be determined. We hope that these guidelines will emerge from within the journalist community,” he said.

The minister said many institutions related to the media sector, including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting are still operating under outdated structures.

“Modern journalism cannot run under this old framework. Transformation is needed to move from traditional media to the world of new media,” he added.

He said the government wants to prepare a roadmap for the media sector through consultation with journalists for its digital transformation.

The minister also said although privately owned newspaper industries operate on the basis of a market economy, it is essential to ensure fair wages and a dignified working environment for journalists.

“Independent journalism cannot flourish in an environment lacking dignity and security,” he added.

He said a comprehensive policy for the development of the media sector will soon be formulated and presented to the stakeholders.