State Minister Arafat for sharing BB info with journalists while protecting its sensitivity

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad A Arafat said on Saturday that a mechanism should be developed so that Bangladesh Bank can share information with journalists while protecting its sensitive data.

‘We are exploring how central banks across the globe operate in this regard, how journalists' access is administered there,” said the state minister.

“We will try to address this issue following global standard,” he added.

Mr Arafat came up with the remarks while responding to a request to comment on the ban on  journalists’ access to the central bank during a discussion at the National Press Club.

The discussion programme, organised by the Editors' Council (EC), marking the World Press Freedom Day, was on this year’s theme: “A press for the planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis.”

The state minister also said a move would be taken so that the media can use the Right to Information Act more effectively.

However, there is some sensitive information that cannot be shared, such as the passcode for Bangabandhu Satellite, he said.

Mr Arafat said developed countries pollute the environment the most, while Bangladesh has been playing an active leading role in the global arena.

Bangladesh’s journalists are also playing a significant role for the sake of the country's environment, he said, adding that the government also wants to support journalists.

“We will take measures to protect the journalists,” said the state minister.

He, however, said professional journalists are under pressure due to the rise of unregistered media and malpracticing journalists.

“We believe in free journalism. We always welcome constructive criticism, but attempts to misinform using the opportunity will not be accepted,” he said.

Editors' Council President and Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) President A K Azad, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, Dhaka Tribune Editor Zafar Sobhan, and Inqilab Editor AMM Bahauddin, Bengali Daily the Desh Rupantor’s Editor Mustafa Mamun, National Press Club General Secretary and Editor of Daily Bhorer Kagoj Shyamal Dutta, Editors' Council Secretary General and Editor of Daily Bonik Barta Dewan Hanif Mahmud, among others, were present at the discussion programme.

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