MA Mannan: significant discussion meeting on measures to enhance the welfare of journalists was held in Barishal under the initiative of the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust, with the cooperation of the Barishal District Journalists' Union.The meeting took place on Monday at the Barishal Circuit House Auditorium. The event was attended by the Honourable Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Zahir Uddin Swapan, MP, as the chief guest.The meeting was chaired by Mohammad Abdul Bachhir, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust. Among the special guests were Kawsar Hossain Khondaker, Member of the Trust's Board of Trustees; Shahjahan Saju, Publicity and Publications Secretary of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ); and Azad Alauddin, President of the Barishal District Journalists' Union.The discussion focused on improving the overall welfare of journalists in the Barishal region, ensuring their professional safety and security, expanding financial and medical assistance, and making the services of the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust more accessible to media professionals.In his address, the chief guest highlighted the government's various initiatives for the welfare of journalists and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting journalists' rights, ensuring a safe working environment, and upholding their professional dignity. He also stressed the need to make the activities of the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust more effective and people-oriented.Speakers at the meeting emphasised increasing welfare support for journalists, simplifying access to emergency financial and medical assistance, addressing professional risks, and strengthening coordination between journalists and the Welfare Trust.Journalists, media leaders, and officials from different districts of the Barishal Division attended the programme.