Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged the journalist community not to publish any such news or criticise in such a way so that the country’s advancement and image were not hampered.

‘Don’t publish any such news that will malign the country’s image and hamper its ongoing advancement,’ she said.

The PM made the remarks while distributing cheques of financial assistance worth about Taka 3.41 crore to 438 sick, insolvent and injured journalists and their family members at her office here.

Sheikh Hasina said that she always welcomed constructive criticism from the media outlets so that we can correct ourselves.

‘Constructive news help to the government to run the country,’ she said.

The prime minister said that the media would definitely criticise the government and enjoy the freedom, but that should be done with due responsibilities and dutifulness.

‘I want that the advancement of Bangladesh is not hampered anymore due to irresponsible journalism,’ she said.

The prime minister said that everyone had the rights to enjoy freedom, but they had to be responsible.

‘You will definitely enjoy freedom but you have to show responsibilities and dutifulness,’ she said.

Information and broadcasting minister Hasan Mahmud and secretary of the ministry Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker also spoke at the function.

Senior journalists, leaders of BFUJ and DUJ and concerned officials were present at the function.