He said these things while talking to journalists after visiting the Kalurghat Radio Centre on Saturday (August 8). The State Minister said necessary initiatives will be taken to properly preserve and maintain this historic establishment, and further steps will be taken after discussing the matter with the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs.
Regarding the government's initiatives for the welfare of journalists, Yaser Khan Chowdhury said an initiative has been taken to further increase the allocation for the Journalists' Welfare Trust, and he expressed hope that this will be possible within the current or next fiscal year.
He said the government has undertaken a big project through New Media to prevent rumours, misinformation and disinformation on social media. Various contents, educational reels and documentaries are being created to make people aware. In addition, initiatives have been taken to develop tools and software to identify correct and false information. Under the New Media project, journalists are being trained, which will gradually be expanded to district and upazila levels.
The State Minister informed about initiatives to increase FM broadcasting to make Bangladesh Betar strong and modern. To make BTV modern and viewer-friendly, an initiative for a forensic audit has been taken, which may start within the next week or 10 days. Based on the audit report, BTV's digitalisation and other modernisation activities will be undertaken.
He also said an initiative has been taken to further modernise BTV's popular programme 'Notun Kuri' (New Bud), and the advertisement inviting applications has already started being broadcast. He expressed hope that if the programme is presented more attractively, viewers' and listeners' interest in BTV will increase.
During the visit, Ershad Ullah, Member of Parliament from Chattogram-8 constituency, Shahin Akter, Director of Kalurghat Radio Centre, Bappi Chakraborty, Deputy Principal Information Officer of Chattogram Regional Information Office, and senior officials of Bangladesh Betar were present.
