Swapon stresses need for authority to determine journalist status
Minister urges inclusive, legally grounded decisions on press accreditation.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapon today said there is a need for an appropriate authority to determine who qualifies as a journalist and who does not.
The minister made the remarks while delivering a directive speech at the 34th meeting of the Press Accreditation Committee and the inaugural meeting of the newly formed committee, held at the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Bangladesh Secretariat here.
He advised members of the Press Accreditation Committee to ensure that every decision is consistent with the Constitution, existing laws, and relevant rules and regulations.
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He urged them to exercise foresight, wisdom, and adopt an inclusive approach that accommodates the largest possible number of people while making decisions.
He also reminded the committee that its decisions should be broadly acceptable.
The minister said committee members must work not as representatives of any political party but as responsible representatives of a government elected by the people, bearing equal responsibility toward all citizens.
He said the media is a pluralistic sector where there is no alternative to the coexistence of people with diverse opinions, perspectives, and ideas. Therefore, instead of making narrow or biased decisions, the committee should adopt an inclusive approach that accommodates the largest possible number of people.
"The true capability of political leadership lies in making acceptable and inclusive decisions, even in difficult and sensitive situations," the minister said.
Jahir Uddin Swapon said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is one of the state's most politically sensitive ministries. Even a minor wrong decision can have major political and social consequences in the future. Therefore, decisions should be made with due consideration of their long-term impact rather than focusing solely on immediate outcomes, he added.
He said the acceptability of the committee's decisions would depend on the wisdom, experience, and foresight of its members.
Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed chaired the meeting, which was attended by Secretary (Routine Duty) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md. Shah Alam, senior ministry officials, and members of the Press Accreditation Committee.
