Site icon Bangladeshi Help

'Right to Information Act will ensure media access to information'


State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Arafat said that the right of media to receive information will be guaranteed under the Right to Information Act.

The state minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled 'Right to Information Act and Role of Media' at National Mass Media Institute Auditorium in Darus Salam, capital, on Wednesday (May 8).

The state minister said that the government wants to ensure the effective implementation of the Right to Information Act. This law was passed during the tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The government made this law to ensure its transparency and accountability. But when any law is made in the society, various challenges may arise in the implementation of that law. In this act, there may be some lack of understanding between the parties who will receive the information or those who will give the information. This Act has strengthened the media as a powerful weapon. But there needs to be a cultural shift in understanding whether that weapon will be used or misused, and among those who will be asked for information under the Act. There is often inertia in providing information. The government wants to ensure that information related to the public, the information that the people have the right to provide. Media journalists also need to have a professional approach in seeking information.'

The State Minister also said that there is often a misunderstanding on the part of those who seek information about the right to seek information under the Right to Information Act. It is important to distinguish between what information is public and what information is confidential. There is some sensitive information that is protected under secrecy laws and is not for the public. Bangladesh Bank, BTRC and other such sensitive institutions have to adopt several strategies as regulatory institutions. These strategies have to be kept secret for a long time until they are implemented. Disclosure of these often harms larger interests. In this case, balance has to be maintained between journalism, free flow of information, information reaching people and sensitive information. There needs to be training, communication and interaction between all parties.

He further said, free flow of information, information reaching the people and disinformation should be countered. However, one must keep in mind the distinction between information for the public and national interest, which is considered sensitive and confidential information in all countries of the world. We want to take transparency and accountability of government and administration to the highest level. It is a commitment to the spirit of the liberation war.

The state minister said, we want to further establish the Right to Information Act. We want journalists to be more empowered by using this law, to make full use of this law and its benefits in society. At the same time we want to see responsible use of this law. Those who have an obligation to provide information under this Act shall be required to provide information when requested. When the media asks for information from the public, it must be ensured that the information is provided as soon as possible. The sooner accurate information is provided, the less chance there is of rumors or misinformation.

He also said that the information that the public is assured by the Right to Information Act should be given to the media. The sooner this information is made available, the better for Bangladesh Bank and all other institutions of its kind. We all need to develop the mindset that the sooner the right information gets to the people, the better for us.

The Minister of State for Information also said that the government wants those who will give information under the Right to Information Act, that there should not be any kind of inertia or mental barrier in giving information. The government also wants every government institution to make the information readily available at the earliest. And those who want information, we want them to use the Right to Information Act correctly. We also want to create the ability to use this law through training so that no one misuses this law.

On the subject of providing Bangladesh Bank information, the state minister said at this time that Bangladesh Bank information will be made available through a planned process.

He also said that professional journalists are the biggest victims of slander. Professional journalism suffers when there is misinformation. In all laws some dishonest people want to take advantage of the abuse. We have to face it together. But the Cyber ​​Security Act (CSA) is not allowed to block any journalistic practice. CSA will protect professional journalism.

The Chief Information Commissioner of the Information Commission was present as a special guest in the workshop under the chairmanship of Sufi Zakir Hossain, Additional Director General of the National Media Institute. Abdul Malek and Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank. Khurshid Alam

Chief Information Officer of the Directorate of Information. Shahenur Mia, Chief Executive of Bangladesh Film and Television Institute Faizul Haque and various officials of various departments under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were present in the workshop. The workshop was attended by 50 journalists from various media outlets.

Bangladesh /IJ





Exit mobile version