DHAKA : State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury today said in the current digital era, the importance of photography in news reporting has increased manifold with the boom of online and social media.
“So, there is no alternative to improving the skills of photojournalists using modern technology and providing advanced training for them to elevate photojournalism in Bangladesh to world standards,” he said.
The state minister made the remarks while speaking at the inaugural session of a Nepal-Bangladesh joint photography exhibition titled ‘The Beauty of Nepal’ at National Press Club here this morning.
The exhibition was jointly organised by Nepal Forum of Photojournalists (NFPJ) and Bangladesh Photojournalists Association (BPJA).
Speaking as the chief guest, Yasser said by looking at pictures, nowadays people are attracted to reading news or reading posts on social media.
“But the equipment and cameras of our country’s photojournalists are not modern as per global standards in many cases. This sector must be further strengthened through advanced training and the use of modern editing panels,” he said.
He assured the photojournalists of all-out cooperation from the information ministry and his personal capacity to this end.
Recalling the outstanding contribution of photojournalists in the great War of Liberation in 1971, the anti-dictatorship movement of 1990 and the 2024 student-people uprising, the state minister said photojournalists have been working as witnesses of history, risking their lives.
Reflecting on his experience of working in the IT and broadcasting department of BBC London for 16 years, he said, “I have a strong personal interest in photography. I always stand by journalists and wish them continued prosperity.”
Speaking as a special guest at the event, National Press Club General Secretary Ayub Bhuiyan said such an international exhibition will be helpful in enhancing cultural ties and tourism of the two countries.
Chaired by BPJA President AKM Mohsin, the event was also addressed by NFPJ president Pradeep Raj Onta and BPJA General Secretary Babul Talukder.
A delegation from NFPJ participated in the programme.
After the discussion, photographs captured on the diverse culture and natural beauty of Nepal were displayed. State Minister Yasser Khan formally inaugurated the exhibition.
