State should support media industry to ensure its sustainability: Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon made the remarks at an exchange of views held at the East West Media Group office in the capital’s Bashundhara Residential Area during a visit to the media house

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said on Thursday the state should support the media industry, even through subsidies if necessary, to ensure its sustainability and strengthen accountability in society.

He made the remarks at an exchange of views held at the East West Media Group office in the capital’s Bashundhara Residential Area during a visit to the media house.

The minister said journalists and media entrepreneurs must be ensured job security and a safe operating environment to preserve accountability in a civilised society.

Referring to the rapidly changing media landscape, Swapon said society is going through a period of transformation in which traditional systems are becoming increasingly obsolete.

"The transition to a new system requires new knowledge, skills and legal frameworks. We also need new strategies to make the transition effective. Unfortunately, we are not sufficiently prepared for this process of change, and as a result we are missing many opportunities," he said.

He said it is the state's responsibility to protect and encourage industries, including the media, adding that the government should provide subsidies if necessary to keep the industry viable.

The minister also said, “Digital platforms have become a major source of information, creating fresh challenges for traditional media organisations. As a result, many media houses have expanded into multimedia operations and increasingly relied on digital platforms as a source of revenue.”

He stressed the need to preserve and strengthen institutional media during this period of transformation.

Highlighting the government's position, Swapon said the current administration believes in media freedom. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman have consistently provided guidance on ensuring an independent media environment, reforming the media sector and forming the necessary commissions.

According to the minister, the government's goal is to build a modern, responsible, independent and sustainable media system based on the views of stakeholders.

He also said the biggest challenge facing the media today is not the relationship between the government and the press, but the collective fight against misinformation and disinformation.

Editors and senior executives from East West Media Group publications and outlets also spoke at the event. They called for the formulation of a policy for online news portals, equitable distribution of government advertisements among media organisations, implementation of the recommendations on reforming the independent Media Commission, and stricter enforcement of media registration rules.