Dhaka, Apr 22 (V7N) — Representatives of the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) met with the Prime Minister on Tuesday (April 21) at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat.

Issues raised in the meeting

During the discussion, NOAB representatives highlighted several key concerns, including:

  • Ongoing financial crisis in the newspaper industry

  • Economic pressure on media organizations

  • Media freedom issues

  • Legal cases filed against journalists

The meeting also focused on the overall sustainability of the print media sector amid rising operational costs.

Government response

After the meeting, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury said the Prime Minister has agreed to hold similar meetings with media stakeholders every three months to maintain regular dialogue.

Lunch discussion gains attention

The Prime Minister’s Information Advisor Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman shared details of the lunch menu in a Facebook post.

The meal reportedly included:

  • Rice

  • Small shrimp with gourd

  • Fried eggplant

  • Boiled egg

  • Lentils

  • Yogurt

He also stated that the total cost of lunch and afternoon snacks at the Prime Minister’s Office is Tk 150, noting that it has increased more than fivefold compared to earlier allocations.

Context

The meeting comes amid growing concerns from media owners over rising costs and operational challenges in Bangladesh’s newspaper industry, alongside ongoing discussions about press freedom and regulatory issues.

END/SMA/AJ