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Special correspondent
Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapan has said that implementing the Ninth Wage Board is essential to ensure journalists’ professional security, fair salaries and benefits, and job stability. He also stressed the need for government policy support to safeguard investments in the newspaper and media industry.
The minister made the remarks on Thursday (July 16) while exchanging views with journalists during a visit to the headquarters of a media group in the capital.
He said that unless journalists’ financial insecurity is addressed, professional journalism will suffer and opportunities for unethical journalism will increase. To retain talented journalists in the profession, he added, a respectable salary structure must be ensured.
Swapan also emphasized that the government should work with newspaper owners to protect their investments through dialogue and mutual understanding. At the same time, he said, the state must provide policy support to ensure continued investment in the media sector.
The minister reiterated that the government believes in media freedom and is working to build a modern, responsible, independent, and sustainable media ecosystem.
He further said that the biggest challenge facing the media today is not the government but the spread of false and misleading information. Addressing this challenge, he noted, requires a collective effort by both society and the state.
Referring to the growing competition from digital platforms, Swapan said mainstream media must become more technology-driven and competitive to remain relevant. He also emphasized that government advertising should be allocated based on audience and readership figures, alongside technology-based evaluation systems.
During the discussion, Daily Sun Editor Rezaul Karim Lotus, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Loton Ekram, Acting Editor of Kaler Kantho Mehedi Hasan Talukder, Executive Editor Haider Ali, News24 News Chief Shariful Islam Khan, BanglaNews24.com Editor Touhidul Islam Mintu, Bangladesh Pratidin Executive Editor A.K.M. Manjurul Islam Manju, and Kaler Kantho Joint Editor Saeed Khan also spoke.