Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda has urged journalists to work to foster public awareness on citizens’ land rights.

Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda said this at a view exchange meeting titled ‘Role of Media in Simplifying Land Services and Preventing Harassment’ at Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity on Wednesday.

Rashiduzzaman, MP of Khulna-6 constituency and Abdul Karim Bhuiyan, Director of Superex Leather Limited were present as special guests. Presided over by Khulna District Journalist Forum President Fasih Uddin Mahtab, BFUJ Secretary General Deep Azad, DRU President Shukur Ali, former DRU President Mursalin Nomani and members of Khulna District Journalist Forum and journos were present.

Terming the media as the fourth estate of the state, the land minister urged the journalists to work for raising awareness of the citizens through public awareness campaign and advocacy on land.

The Land Minister also said that development communication and news play a positive role in the socio-economic development of the country as a whole by increasing citizen awareness, as well as playing a positive role in foreign investment.

The minister highlighted the role of independent and responsible media in playing a positive role in the society by highlighting various irregularities by making constructive criticism through investigative journalism.

Smart land management is an important part of the Smart Bangladesh initiative planned by the Prime Minister to build the Sonar Bangla of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The minister said independent media is important to implement Smart Bangladesh. The land minister said the present government led by Sheikh Hasina has ensured media freedom in the country.