DHAKA: Finance Minister AMA Muhith took exception to the state of country’s media and said the standard of professionalism in the field fell short of expectations.

“At times, the level of professionalism in this field falls short of expectations and I feel saddened at the lukewarm efforts of our journalist friends in conducting investigative journalism,” he said while placing the national budget for 2010-2011 FY in parliament.

In his budget speech, Muhith touched on the sector under title “Independence of Media” and defended their government saying it had not “meddled with mass media in any way”.  
 
He claimed that the journalists could publish news on all of their activities without any interference.

The custodian of exchequer requested senior journalists working for newspapers, electronic media and other institutions of the country to arrange training for their junior colleagues. “…the senior journalists and the editors can play a positive role.”  

Muhith also requested the owners of newspapers to offer decent emoluments to the journalists following the Wage Board Award.

The finance minister, who placed an over Tk 132,000 crore national budget, earmarked Tk 3.08 crore in favor of the Press Institute for providing training to the journalists.

“…once we can ensure freedom of the media as well as free flow of information, accountability and transparency will be enhanced, corruption will be reduced and good governance will be established,” he told the house.

BDST 1815 HRS. June 10, 2010
FA/MUA