Dhaka: The visiting International Press Institute (IPI) boss Alison Bethel McKenzie urged the government to take timely and effective measures to stop attack on journalists with the view to ensuring freedom of mass media.
She underscored the need to either amend or abolish the existing law on libel with the aim to ensure freedom of speech and the press.
The Executive Director of the Vienna-based IPI viewed while discussing with the Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad at the ministry on Sunday.
Various issues relating to freedom of expression and mass media and roles of journalists come up for discussion during the meeting.
Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, IPI Executive Board member, Editor in Chief of Boishakhi Television and also the chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Committee was present at the meeting.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad said that Bangladesh's media have been working independently and enjoying full freedom under the present government.
He mentioned that an information commission has been formed to implement the Right to Information Law made in the first session of the ninth parliament in 2009 with the aim to ensuring free flow of information.
About libel law the minister said that in connection with defamation case the existing law only allows summoning the accused writer or journalist for making libelous comment or writing derogatory report against somebody instead of issuing arrest warrant.
He also pointed out that work is going on to form welfare fund for the journalists. The minister added that the government has been taking prompt action in case of attack, torture and killing of journalists.
She underscored the need to either amend or abolish the existing law on libel with the aim to ensure freedom of speech and the press.
The Executive Director of the Vienna-based IPI viewed while discussing with the Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad at the ministry on Sunday.
Various issues relating to freedom of expression and mass media and roles of journalists come up for discussion during the meeting.
Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, IPI Executive Board member, Editor in Chief of Boishakhi Television and also the chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Committee was present at the meeting.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad said that Bangladesh's media have been working independently and enjoying full freedom under the present government.
He mentioned that an information commission has been formed to implement the Right to Information Law made in the first session of the ninth parliament in 2009 with the aim to ensuring free flow of information.
About libel law the minister said that in connection with defamation case the existing law only allows summoning the accused writer or journalist for making libelous comment or writing derogatory report against somebody instead of issuing arrest warrant.
He also pointed out that work is going on to form welfare fund for the journalists. The minister added that the government has been taking prompt action in case of attack, torture and killing of journalists.
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