Information and broadcasting adviser Md Mahfuj Alam on Monday said that both public and private initiatives were needed for the welfare of journalists, and such initiatives would help ensure the professional and social security of newsmen.
鈥楾he government鈥檚 initiatives alone are not enough for the welfare of journalists, so the private sector should also play a role in this regard,鈥� he said, urging insurance companies and other private institutions to come forward for the welfare of journalists.
He made these remarks while addressing a group insurance agreement signing ceremony at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital.
At the event, an insurance agreement was signed between National Life Insurance PLC and about 2,000 members of DRU.
Highlighting the government鈥檚 initiatives for journalists鈥� welfare, the adviser said that the government provided welfare grants to a significant number of journalists every three months through the Bangladesh Journalists鈥� Welfare Trust.
In the last fiscal year, he added that scholarships were provided to the meritorious children of journalists. The scope of work of the Journalists鈥� Welfare Trust was expanded since the current interim government took office.
Mahfuj said that the draft of the ordinance on the protection of journalists was sent to the legislative department. In addition, the government was also working on implementing the ninth wage board.
Regarding the July uprising, the adviser said that the stories of those who sacrificed in this uprising should be presented to the public.
He called upon journalists to highlight the contributions of the martyrs and the injured in the July uprising in the media.
Dhaka Reporters Unity president Abu Saleh Akon presided over the program, while acting president of Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, president of Bangladesh Insurance Association Sayeed Ahmed, and managing director of National Life Insurance PLC Kazim Uddin, among others, addressed the event. DRU general secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel moderated the programme.
