Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared to give an additional Tk 200 million to the Journalists’ Welfare Trust.

The prime minister made the declaration on Wednesday (Sept 19) at a programme for the support of indigent journalists.

The PM said, “I formed the welfare trust for journalists with some money but not a single newspaper owner gave any donation. Only two TV owners came with financial assistance.”

That fund now has Tk 140 million and I will give another Tk 200 million, said the prime minister and asked the media owners to make contributions.

We are working tirelessly for the overall development of Bangladesh and believe in the freedom of the press, commented the prime minister.

“When we came to power in 1996, there was one TV and one radio; later, we opened the path for private TV channels, yet, we often get negative treatment from the media.”

Like my father Bangabandhu, I am trying my best to serve the people, said the prime minister.