Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said the government had blocked Facebook, Messengers, Vibar and Whatsapp to check activities of militants and to ensure security for people in the country.
The minister said: “There is no reason to be worried over the suspension of Facebook, Messengers, Vibar and Whatsapp since it is for short period. The government is compelled to suspend these networking platform following militants' attack in Paris and others parts of the world.
The minister made the remark while addressing DRU Best Reporting Award giving ceremony at Jatiya Natyashala of Shilpakala Academy in the city on Thursday.
Praising media for its crucial activities during disasters' time, the minister said: “It is high time for media to stand against militancy since mass media has pivotal role in creating awareness against extremism.”
Mentioning that Bangladeshi media are very active and critical of government activities, he said the Prime Minister and her government is very tolerant of criticisms. “But, we openly take action against those try to instigate.”
The government has suspended operation of these social networking sites to stop militancy as some bloggers, writters and publishers have been killed in the recent days.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (BTRC) suspended the operation of Facebook, Messenger, Viber and WhatsApp in Bangladesh on Wednesday following a Supreme Court verdict that upheld the death sentences of war criminals Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Salauddin Quader Chowdhury.
Read More: Social networking platforms blocked
At the function, the DRU announced the names of winners of its annual awards for best reporting. Reporters from print, television, online and radio received the award for their reports on 26 different categories.
The minister handed over crests, certificates and cheques among the award recipients.
Award receptionists in print media are — staff correspondent of Dhaka Tribune Zebun Nesa Alo received the award in economic category, Pinaki Roy received the award for energy and mineral resources, Helemul Alam of the Daily Star for his report on city’s problem and potentials, Porimol Palma received the report in diplomatic, Sohel Parvez received the award in agriculture affair category special correspondent of Prothom Alo Sharifuzzaman Pintu in politics category, special correspondent of New Age Khademul Islam in health category, senior staff correspondent of New Age Md Moniruzzaman in law parliament, judiciary and election commission, staff correspondent of Daily Samakal Abu Saleh Rony received the award in Muktijuddha category, senior reporter of Daily Observer Pulak Ghatok in crime and law and order, special correspondent of The Daily Inqilab Samim Chowdhury in sports, senior reporter of daily Naya Diganta in education have received the awards.
In electronics media, senior staff correspondent of Chennel i Zannatul Bakeya Keka, deputy chief reporter of Machranga Badruddoza Babu, business editor of Independent TV Shahed Siddiqui, senior reporter of channel 24 Abdul Kaiyum Tuhin, senior correspondent NTV Mahmudul Hasan Guru, staff reporter of RTV Al Amin Khan, special correspondent of Jamuna TV Mahfuzur Rahman Mishu and senior correspondent of ntv Rokon Uddin received the awards.
In online, special correspondent of Jagonews24.com Moniruzzaman Uzzal, staff reporter of Banglamail24.com Dipon Nondi, special correspondent of Banglanews24.com Rahman Masud and special correspondent of Banglanews24.com Rofiqul Islam Montu received the award.
Staff reporter of ABC radio, Tawhidul Islam and Ahrar Hossain of BBC Bangla received the awards in radio reporting categories.
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