DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also ruling Awami League president, on Wednesday urged media to behave responsibly towards society and state.

“Freedom is good but it is not willfulness. Media should behave responsibly towards society and the country,” she said.

The premier made the observation while addressing programme to the families of sick, poor, injured and killed journalists at the Prime Minister’s Office in the noon.

Sheikh Hasina said, “Media plays a vital role in making democracy effective. It is known as the ‘mirror of society’ though sometimes media confuses people by giving fabricated news items.” 

She urged the journalists to be aware so that mainstream media and social media cannot do something harmful to the country.

Mentioning that AL believes in the independence of journalists, about the National Broadcast Policy she said, “The policy was not composed suddenly. We asked for opinions from every quarter keeping the policy on the website for a long time. But those who are criticizing the policy now did not give opinion then.”

BBC, CNN also follows policies, she added.

Indicating BNP-Jamaat, Hasina also said that the policy would be tougher if they assume power.

Addressing the journalists, Hasina said criticize if there are chances but do not cut the branch where you sit.

She further said the Information Ministry will look after the implementation of the 8th wage board.

Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Ministry AK Rahmat Ullah, Iqbal Sobhan Chowshury, Information Affairs Adviser to AL president, Information Secretary Mortuza Bashir, BFUJ president Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul and DUJ president Altaf Mahmud were among others present in the function.

The journalist leaders demanded a separate bench at the High Court to settle the dues of journalists who were fired forcefully.

BDST: 1850 HRS, AUG 27, 2014