Hands of media were tied over past 17 years: Andaleeve Rahman

Newly appointed Information and Broadcasting Minister Barrister Andaleeve Rahman has said the hands of the media were tied over the past 17 years.

He said the media played a significant role during the July Uprising.

The information minister said these while he has called upon the heads of different departments under the ministry to work together to ensure transparency and accountability in government works.

He made the call on Sunday (23 August) at an introductory meeting with the officials and employees of the ministry at the ministry meeting room at the secretariat.

Before the meeting, the officials and employees greeted the minister with flowers.

Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Kamal Uddin Shabuj 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 with Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana in the chair.

Addressing the meeting, Andaleeve Rahman said the media is one of the pillars of democracy.

“Our main struggle for the past 17 years was to reestablish democracy in the country. Our main goal is to ensure an environment of free and open journalism by breaking the culture of control that was imposed on the media during the fallen 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.

“The 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 further said, “You are much more experienced in administrative work than I am. We will all work together to deliver accurate information to the people and in the interest of the country, so that none is suffered by our any wrong or unjustified decision.

Officials of the ministry and heads of different departments under the ministry were present at the meeting.