The government is working to introduce a retirement allowance for senior journalists to help ensure their financial security, Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapon said while visiting an ailing journalist at Bangladesh Medical University in Dhaka.
The minister made the remarks while visiting journalist and former president of the Barishal Press Club Ismail Hossain at the hospital, according to a press release.
He said that, although the media is regarded as the fourth pillar of a modern democratic state, many media workers continue to work without adequate institutional protection. He added that the issue of financial security for senior journalists had long remained neglected, and that the government had now taken steps to introduce a retirement allowance for them.
Swapon said journalism was a highly important and respectable profession, but many senior journalists spend the later stages of their lives in financial hardship. He said the government was working so that they could live with dignity.
He also said the government was working on policy formulation to ensure both media freedom and responsibility. At the same time, activities under the Journalists Welfare Trust are being strengthened further, he added.
The minister said state support was essential to retain talented and capable people in society. Ensuring a safe and dignified working environment for professionals in important fields such as journalism remained a government priority, he added.
During the visit, the minister handed over a cheque for Tk1 lakh in financial assistance to the sick journalist on behalf of the Journalists Welfare Trust.
Among others present were officials of Bangladesh Medical University, representatives of the Journalists Welfare Trust, and journalists’ leaders.
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