DHAKA, Nov 23, 2023 (BSS) – The government today formed the new broad of directors of the state-owned national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) with former Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Martuza Ahmed as its chairman.
In line with the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Act 2018, the 13-member board, which comprises media figures and government representatives, is to discharge its function for the next three years, according to a notification of Bangladesh Gazette.
A former bureaucrat Ahmed previously served as a secretary to the government.
BSS Managing Director and Chief Editor Abul Kalam Azad, by virtue of his position would serve as the de-facto member-secretary of the BSS board.
The members who would represent the mainstream media in the new BSS board are: Shyamal Dutta, editor, the Dainik Bhorer Kagoj; Azizul Islam Bhuiyan, editor, The People’s Life; MA Malek, editor, the Daily Azadi of Chattogram; Mozammel Haque, managing director, 71 Media Limited.
The government officials who are made members of the board are: the joint secretary (press) of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; a joint secretary of Finance Division of Ministry of Finance; a joint secretary of Public Security Division of Ministry of Home Affairs; a joint secretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry; the principal information officer (PIO) of Press Information Department.
A special BSS correspondent, Mahfuza Jasmine, has been made the representative of the news agency journalists, officials and employees.