President stresses professionalism, quality in TV broadcasting

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged television journalists to perform their professional duties with professionalism and earn public trust.

He made the call when a delegation of the Broadcast Journalists Center (BJC) paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban in the afternoon, said a press release.

The president urged everyone to work from their respective positions for nation-building and safeguarding public interests.

Recalling the country’s long democratic struggle, he said media representatives had played an active role in the movement for democratic transition and restoration.

He sought journalists’ cooperation in institutionalising democracy in the country.

The president also recalled with gratitude the support he received from journalists during difficult periods of the struggle for restoration of democracy.

“I have received your companionship, support and love,” he said.

He referred to the oppression and persecution faced by media workers during the previous regime and expressed his resolve to stand by them.

Recalling the past, the president said, “If democratic practices, instead of political vengeance, and political and economic stability could have been ensured in the country, we too could have risen like developed countries.”

He urged all to shun narrow and political interests to utilise the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh after a long struggle and bloodshed.

“Increasing the number of television channels alone would not be enough. Broadcasting must maintain qualitative standards,” he said.

The president also stressed the need to form a Media Reform Commission and address the problems facing the media. He called on policymakers to take a broader, long-term and visionary approach to resolving the sector’s existing challenges.

He emphasised collective efforts to help television channels overcome various challenges through self-reliant digitalisation and monetisation.

BJC leaders said the organisation works for the welfare of journalists and provides training to improve the professional standards of broadcast journalists. It also offers various facilities, including health assistance and insurance.

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The president assured them of his cooperation in their welfare activities and advised them to undertake programmes aimed at increasing journalists’ income.

Fahim Ahmed, Ilias Hossain, Talat Mamun, Mahmud Hasan, Shariful Islam Khan, Shah Azizur Rahman Kiran, Zamanul Ferdous Manu, Belayet Hossain, Naila Parvin Pia and Saiful Shakil were among the BJC delegation.

The president’s secretary, press secretary and assistant military secretary were also present at the meeting.