Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon stated that the media serves as the mirror of society and the state, emphasizing that it must be flawless. He said this responsibility lies primarily with the media itself and called for unity among all stakeholders to achieve this goal. The minister made these remarks on Monday at a seminar titled “Media’s Failure in Facing Fascism,” organized by the National Editors Council (NEC) at the Department of Films and Publications auditorium in Dhaka, marking the anniversary of the 1975 press shutdown.

Swapon noted that past efforts to strengthen the media were partial and incomplete, preventing the development of a robust media institution in Bangladesh. He stressed the need for consensus and collective action to establish an independent and responsible media commission. The minister also highlighted that democracy cannot be practiced effectively without institutionalizing the culture of diverse opinions.

The seminar, chaired by NEC co-convener and Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman, featured editors and journalists from across the country, who discussed media freedom, political influence, and the need for unity to safeguard press independence.