Social Welfare Minister Syed Mohsin Ali lambasted journalists on Wednesday, describing them as people lacking patriotism.
He questioned the TV coverage of the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse, expressing his disapproval of showing a large number of dead bodies on the screen, which he said had undermined Bangladesh's image in the international community.
“You [journalists] could not have done that if you were patriotic. Dead bodies were repeatedly shown on TV. You can get certificates and become journalists but that does not mean you are patriotic,” said Mohsin while addressing a programme at Narsingdi circuit house.
The minister also voiced his disapprobation of social media, saying that people use online platforms to write just anything that comes to their mind.
“This is why we have the ICT act, which can put people in trouble. Never think that you can write anything you want against a minister and get away with it.”
He warned that journalists should maintain caution before they write.
“I was photographed by Bangladeshi journalists while smoking and they published it in newspaper. I also smoked on a stage in Kolkata but no journalists there took my picture,” said Mohsin, who described himself as a pro-democratic person.
Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner Abu Hena Morshed Jaman presided over the programme which was also attended by local lawmaker Sirajul Islam Mollah, acting police super Jakir Hossain Majumder and officials of Narsingdi office of the Department of Social Services.
