Hasan Hafiz, president of Jatiya Press Club and editor of daily Kaler Kantha, has commented that cow sacrifice, midnight office attack and fire are unprecedented incidents in the name of July spirit. He said this at a media conference in the capital’s Krishibid Institution (KIB) auditorium on Saturday (January 17).
Hasan Hafeez said, ‘What we have seen in the name of July spirit—cow sacrifices, midnight office attacks, torching, is unprecedented. As much as we have achieved in the July movement, it is a disgrace to us. We are not in a position to show our face to the world in hatred. This is very shocking. We don’t want to deviate. We want to honor the July spirit, carry it forward. We want to facilitate the democratic process.’
The press club president highlighted the attacks and repression on the press and journalists in the last decade and a half. He said, ‘In the last decade and a half, many media outlets have been shut down, oppressed and suppressed, many offices vandalized, editors arrested. As long as there is a desire for democracy, this fight will continue. We came to the media knowing that. It is a risky profession than other 10 professions. It is a noble profession, for it has as many thrills as it has challenges.’
Hasan Hafiz said, ‘We have to go through an unknown challenge in journalism. The elections ahead, I would argue, reflect the aspirations of the people in July. We want to take it seriously. This challenge is not just of any political party, nor of 23 advisers. It is the responsibility and duty of every citizen. May we change from within ourselves.’
The press club president also said, ‘I want independent media, we want the development of hundreds of opinions, we want to show responsibility, we want to show patriotism. We want to demonstrate honesty, devotion and sincerity. This is a big challenge. Independence of the country, sovereignty, liberation war, July spirit—everything is related to this.’
The media gathering started at 10:17 am on this day with the National Anthem. Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOWAB) and Editors Association jointly organized the meeting.
Members of Nowab and Editor Council, Association of Television Channel Owners, Broadcast Journalist Center, Jatiya Press Club, Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union, Dhaka Journalists Union, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Economic Reporters Forum, Photo Journalists Association, Crime Reporters Association and leaders of various journalist organizations and journalists and media editors working outside Dhaka participated in the meeting. took
Various levels of media representatives and columnists also participated in this event to stand together for responsible and courageous journalism. Journalists expressed their views with the aim of protecting the democratic environment and freedom of the media and ensuring the safety of journalists, upholding the professional status and rights of media workers.
