The apex body of journalists today rejected the statements of Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) as they told that there is no need of Mass Media Employees Act.
The leaders of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) said that the act is being made as per their demand and it is needed for the country's mass media employees.
The leaders told a discussion and iftar mahfil jointly organized by BFUJ and DUJ at Jatiya Press Club (JPC) in the capital.
The leaders of the duo organizations said the Mass Media Employees Act is being implemented as per the demand of journalists. There is a need to amend and refinement of some clause in the draft bill and "We are not agree with them who don't want the law," they added.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud addressed the function as the chief guest with BFUJ president Omar Faruque in the chair.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Chairman Hasanul Haque Inu addressed the function as special guests while DUJ general secretary Aktar Hossain conducted it.
BFUJ secretary general Dip Azad and DUJ president Sohel Haider Chowdhury, among others, also addressed the discussion.
Hasan, in his speech, said country's mass media is working more independently in many sectors rather than many developed countries and the government wants flourishing of the mass media. The Mass Media Employees Act is to protect the interest of journalists, he added.
The work of amending and refinement of the draft bill is going on, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
Dipu Moni exchanged views with journalists.
Inu said democracy and mass media would go together and the country would march forward.
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad, JPC president Farida Yasmin, general secretary Elias Khan, the Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, the Daily Jugantar editor Saiful Alam, BFUJ former president Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul, Dhaka Reporters Unity president Nazrul Islam Mithu and general secretary Nurul Islam Hasib, among others, were present in the function.
