British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke met with Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Interim Government Md. Mahfuj Alam. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday (May 15) afternoon.
The ongoing activities of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were discussed during the meeting. At this time, the Information and Broadcasting Adviser said that several reform initiatives have been taken as per the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission. The issue of formulating an ordinance related to the responsibilities and protection of journalists is also being considered. Highlighting the activities of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in disseminating information about the events of the July Uprising, he said that several documentaries have been made on the July Uprising at the initiative of the ministry and they are being disseminated in the media. In addition, several publications have also been made on the July Uprising. During the meeting, the adviser also said that the ministry will produce some more documentaries and publications to mark the 5th of August.
Regarding media freedom, the adviser said that the government is not interfering in the country’s media. The current interim government is working to establish media freedom.
During the meeting, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said that Bangladesh has improved in the World Press Freedom Index this year. She thanked the Bangladesh government for this success. The High Commissioner shared her experience on the freedom and responsibility of the British media. During this time, she expressed her interest in working together for the development of the media in Bangladesh.
Several issues of mutual interest between the two countries were discussed during the meeting. British High Commission Second Secretary Ellie Boot was present during the meeting.