Information and broadcasting minister Zahir Uddin Swapan on Wednesday said that he would work to create a fearless environment for the media in line with his party’s election manifesto.

Talking to reporters at the secretariat on his first day in office, the minister said that the responsibility of the media was to ensure authentic information for the people.

Recalling his political journey, Swapan said that he could understand the mental distress of living in fear.

At a meeting with ministry officials at the secretariat, Swapan also said that the ministry must function within a professional and institutional framework.

The meeting, chaired by information affairs secretary Mahbuba Farzana, was attended by the state minister for information and broadcasting affairs, Yaser Khan Chowdhury, senior ministry officials and heads of its different departments.

Addressing the meeting, the minister said that conveying the government’s message clearly to the people would be one of the ministry’s main responsibilities.

He said that prime minister Tarique Rahman, in his 31-point proposal, had spoken about forming an independent commission.

Through that commission, independent recommendations would be formulated to build a supportive structure for state governance.

He said that the information ministry would have to play an effective role in achieving that goal.

The state minister for information and broadcasting, Yaser Khan Chowdhury, said urged all concerned to work together to make the ministry’s activities more dynamic.

He also sought cooperation from all to formulate and implement future action plans.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Tareque Rahman-led government was formed on Tuesday following the BNP’s landslide victory in the February 12 national polls. The new cabinet members began their office at the secretariat on Wednesday.