The newly formed Information Commission has started working and the government will provide all-out support to ensure that it function independently, Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad said at a meeting recently.
The commission started its work on a limited scale, but its operation will be expanded soon, he said, adding that the government believes in free flow of information and the journalists can play an important role in this regard.
The journalists should report objectively and cross-check information before publishing it, he added.
The Media Commission, Bangladesh (MCB) organised the discussion on 'Right to Information Act' at Dhaka Club, says a press release.
MCB Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelly said MCB will work as a bridge between the journalist community and the government and help solve the problems facing the journalists.
"There are many cases where journalists are intimidated and in some cases harassed and the commission will inform the government and the outside world about such incidents," he added.
MCB general secretary Shaukat Mahmood said the Information Commission should serve the interest of the people.
SAFMA president Reazuddin Ahmed said misunderstanding develops among countries due to lack of information.
"A group of journalists from Saarc countries has formed SAFMA to remove the information barrier and misunderstanding," he said.
SAFMA Bangladesh secretary general Zahiduzzaman Faruque said private-public partnership can be very effective in developing journalism in the country.
"It will be win-win situation as the government will be benefited from the information provided by journalists and the media people will also be freed from harassment," he said.
Chief Information Commissioner Md Azizur Rahman said people are the source of power, but they do not know what is their power.
"Information Commission was formed to make the people aware of their rights," he said.
MCB members Editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam, ambassador Mohammad Zamir, Chief Editor of UNB Enaytullah Khan, SAFMA coordinator Ruhul Amin Gazi, Prof Dr Asif Nazrul, Chief News Editor of NTV Khairul Anwar, Shykh Seraj of Channel i, Head of News Operation of ATN Bangla Munni Saha, Kortoa Editor Muzammel Huq and advocate Elina Khan were present. Dhaka Club President Sadat Hossain Selim was also present.