DHAKA, Sept 21, 2021 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan
Mahmud today said no journalist will be harassed without any cause.
The minister stated this while exchanging views with journalist leaders at
his office at Secretariat here.
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul
Kalam Azad, DBC 24/7 NEWS chairman Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Bangladesh Federal
Union of Journalist (BFUJ) former president Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, former
secretary generals - Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan and Omar Faruque, Dhaka Union of
Journalist (DUJ) president Quddus Affrad and general secretary Sajjad Alam
Khan Tapu, among others, were present in the meeting.
After the meeting, Hasan replied different queries to reporters saying the
journalist leaders came here to discuss the issue of seeking bank account details of journalists.
"The discussions were held in a very amicable environment," he added.
The minister said the government can seek anyone's bank details. "But, it
is a concern that why the bank details were sought in the name of
organizations. I've told them that I will look into the matter as none will
be harassed unnecessarily," said Hasan, also Awami League joint general
secretary.
"They (jounalists) also requested to keep an eye so that any
misunderstanding cannot take place between the government and journalists
regarding seeking of the bank details . . . I also requested them," he said.
The minister said Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is
journalists-friendly as she has taken many welfare oriented schemes for the
community (journalists).
She has established the journalists' welfare trust, gave allocation for
constructing the building of Jatiya Press Club, assisted journalists during
the COVID-19 situation and gave Taka 10 crore as grant to the journalists
welfare trust, he added.
Mentioning that the Premier always enquires about journalists, Hasan urged
all to remain alert as none could create distance between the government and
journalists.