Nahid: No room for corruption and nepotism in the Ministry of Information

Nahid: No room for corruption and nepotism in the Ministry of Information

DHAKA, August 18, 2024 (BSS) – Advisor on Information and Broadcasting Md Nahid Islam today said there would be no place for corruption and nepotism in his ministry.

“We are trying to build a corruption-free Bangladesh. We will work together for the people of Bangladesh to achieve this goal. We will use the opportunity we have been given (by the revolution),” he said.

Nahid said this this morning during an exchange of views with office heads of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and journalists at his ministry's conference room in the Bangladesh Secretariat.

At the beginning of the session, a minute's silence was observed in memory of the fallen students, people of different ages and journalists.

Commenting on the government's fall in a bloody student uprising, the information adviser said: “We have got a new Bangladesh in a bloody atmosphere again. The young generation has new dreams and new goals. We joined this government to reflect these goals.”

Nahid, who also serves as an adviser on posts, telecommunications and information technology, urged the heads of the departments under his ministry to remain vigilant so that a new autocracy does not emerge as the country rebuilds with new hopes and aspirations.

On the interference in journalism, Nahid said: “We have witnessed the blatant interference in press freedom, mass media and freedom of expression in Bangladesh. We do not want such incidents to be repeated in Bangladesh in the future.”

Noting that it is impossible to ensure freedom of expression without also ensuring freedom of the press, he said: “We must work to ensure freedom of the press.”

He stressed that the controversial laws and regulations must be reviewed to ensure complete freedom of expression.

The adviser assured that he would stand by the journalists who were killed or injured in the anti-discrimination movement led by students and the general public.

Regarding the salary structure of journalists, he said that the salaries of lower-level reporters were very low and that in many cases the media did not adhere to the salary structure.

“That is why we need a policy on salary structure. If we cannot promote talented people in journalism, there will be no progress,” he added.

Regarding the offices under the Ministry, the Information and Broadcasting Adviser said steps would be taken to make the offices as dynamic and modern as possible.

In addition, the censorship committees would soon be reformed, he added.

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