Newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Barrister Andaleeve Rahman on Sunday called on the heads of different departments under the ministry to work together to ensure transparency and accountability in government work.
He made the call at an introductory meeting with officials and employees of the ministry at the Secretariat.
Before the meeting, officials and employees greeted the minister with flowers.
Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Kamal Uddin Shabuj also greeted the newly appointed minister with flowers.
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Information and Broadcasting and Cultural Affairs Dr Zahed Ur Rahman spoke at the meeting, chaired by Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana.
Addressing the meeting, Andaleeve Rahman said the media is one of the pillars of democracy.
“Our main struggle over the past 17 years was to reestablish democracy in the country. Our main goal is to ensure an environment for free and open journalism by breaking the culture of control that was imposed on the media during the previous government,” he said.
Explaining the context of the July Movement, the minister said there is no scope to undermine the contribution of the media or journalists.
“People have the right to know information, and it is the moral responsibility of the government to present to them what we are doing correctly,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the experience and skills of the officials, Andaleeve Rahman said: “You are much more experienced in administrative work than I am. We will all work together to provide accurate information to the people and in the interest of the country, so that no one suffers because of any wrong or unjustified decision.”
Officials of the ministry and heads of different departments under the ministry were present at the meeting.