Dhaka, Aug 07 (V7N) – Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday blamed the previous government for the country's gas crisis and banking sector problems, saying the current BNP-led administration is working to address those challenges.
He made the remarks while speaking at a seminar titled "Role of Media in Sustainable Democracy," organized by the Television Editors Council at a hotel in the capital.
The minister said the gas shortage was inherited from the previous administration, which, he alleged, had also weakened the country's banking sector.
"The current government is working to restore and develop these sectors," he said.
Referring to the country's democratic transition, Mirza Fakhrul said many Western nations took centuries to establish stable democratic systems, while the present government has been in office for less than five months.
He criticized what he described as premature assessments of the government's performance, saying some critics had already labeled the administration a failure and accused it of intolerance.
The minister also stressed the importance of an independent and strong media in sustaining democracy. He expressed concern over the absence of a wage board for television employees, alleged job losses in the media sector and said journalists should unite to protect the interests of the profession.
Speaking at the same seminar, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said journalism should not be treated as a purely corporate business.
He said new opportunities had emerged following the events of July and reaffirmed the government's commitment to establishing a sustainable and professional media environment as quickly as possible.
The seminar brought together media professionals and policymakers to discuss the role of journalism in strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring a free and responsible press.
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