Bangladesh Awaits a New Era in Journalism: Adviser

Nahid Islam, Information and Broadcasting Adviser of Bangladesh

Bangladesh's Adviser for Information and Broadcasting, Nahid Islam, emphasized the public's desire for a new approach to journalism in the wake of recent changes. Speaking at a welfare grant ceremony organized by the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust, he stated, “The government is committed to revamping the media landscape, ensuring it serves as a cornerstone of democracy that prioritizes the interests of the nation and its citizens.”

During the event at the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB), Nahid highlighted the Trust's dedication to supporting families of martyred journalists and those injured during the anti-discrimination movement. He affirmed that the contributions of these journalists would be honored by the government.

Nahid stressed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's commitment to the families of deceased journalists, viewing their support as integral to its mission. He announced the distribution of 350 welfare grant cheques in the first phase of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with promises of more assistance to come.

Addressing the influence of authoritarianism, he criticized the pervasive fascism affecting various institutions, including the media. He called on journalists to remain nonpartisan and to advocate for the public interest. “While the media is expected to hold the government accountable, it has struggled to do so for the past 16 years,” he noted.

Nahid distinguished between true journalism and those who exploit the media for corrupt purposes, asserting that it is the persecuted journalists from previous regimes who truly represent the field.

To enhance journalist protection, he announced the establishment of a monitoring committee to address harassment cases, encouraging journalists to report incidents with the assurance of governmental support.