Information Minister holds meeting with senior EU Officials in Brussels
In the meeting, the issues of media, online news platforms, the role of social media and the related challenges were discussed in length. European Union (EU) Officials, terming Bangladesh as a “fast developing country” praised the present Government for creating the congenial environment for thriving media presence. Information Minister explained to EU how during the last one decade the media of Bangladesh has opened up, doubling the number of print newspapers, tripling the number of TV channels, along with the thousands to applications under process for registration of online news platforms.
He requested EU authorities to share their best practices and guidelines for the print as well as cyber media with Bangladesh, so that there can be a win-win situation.
EU assured the Minister of providing all possible support and cooperation to Bangladesh for further strengthening its print, electronic and online media platforms. EU officials stressed on the importance of ensuring that freedom of media and freedom of expression are not curtailed by any law or regulation that is originally meant to protect institutions’ and individuals’ rights.
The Minister assured EU officials that Bangladesh would never enact or implement any law that would contravene the concept of human rights. He explained that the Government was always alert to prevent misuse of any law, and he was hopeful that with EU support, the media guidelines of Bangladesh would become more streamlined and fit-for-purpose. It was agreed in the meeting that EU would share its different relevant guidelines/rules in the area of media with the Government of Bangladesh.
Ambassador of Bangladesh participated in the meeting, while from the EU side, senior officials from offices dealing with foreign affairs, strategic communications and human rights joined at the meeting.
In the evening, the expatriate community members of Chattogram living in Belgium, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands organized a traditional mezban event in honour of the information Minister. The event that took place in the port city of Antwerpen in Belgium drew huge crowd. Information Minister in his speech to the audience urged them to work for Bamgladesh from abroad. There were lively cultural performance, followed by the traditional food of Chattogram. Ambassador of Bangladesh in Belgium and the Ambassador of Bangladesh in the Netherlands joined at the event. Enditem press release