DHAKA: Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad emphatically claimed that both the print and electronic media in the country are enjoying full freedom, dispelling some doubts raised by opposition critics.

“The government has passed the ‘Right to Information Act’ as it strongly believes in press freedom,” said the minister at a seminar Thursday, just two days after the ruling-party MPs came down heavily on the ‘controversial’ role of some of the newspapers during the ongoing parliament session.

The national seminar titled ‘Right to Information Act: Problems, Prospects and Tasks’ was organized by Management and Resources Development Initiative at a city hotel.

The seminar was also addressed, among others, by Information Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, US Ambassador James F Moriarty, Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Golam Rahman, Executive Director of ‘Manusher Jonno Foundation’ Shahin Anam, Country Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, and Barrister Tanjib ul Islam. Chief Executive Officer of Baishakhi television Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul conducted the seminar.

Speaking as chief guest Abul Kalam Azad assured that no state organ would create any intervention in press freedom for the sake of ensuring free flow of information.

The government has issued new license to 14 community radios and 10 new private television channels just within 18 months of its tenure, he further told the meet.

The minister also said that the government has formed a neutral Information Commission just after the passage of the ‘Right to Information Act-2009’ in parliament.

But the act couldn’t be implemented even in 14 months due to some limitations, admitted the minister.

Addressing the seminar Information Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury reminded that India took three years while the United Kingdom five years to enforce such an act.

Chief Information Commissioner Mohammad Jamir said, “We are heading towards the implementation of the ‘Right to Information Act’. But people have to know about their right to information”.

BDST: 1810 HRS, SEPT 23, 2010