Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam commented that if the government believes in independent journalism, they will benefit the most. He said this at a media conference at the Krishibid Institution (KIB) auditorium in the capital on Saturday.
Mahfuz Anam said, ‘If a government really believes in independent journalism and really has that liberal outlook, then they will benefit the most.’
Addressing the government, the Daily Star editor said, ‘Government, remember that no one will tell you the truth. Your party people will say no out of fear and your government bureaucracy will not say. Your government’s intelligence community won’t tell. They will always keep you bound in the world of praise. Independent journalism is the only institution that tells you the truth.’
Stating that the money in the budget is not of the government, but of the people, Mahfuz Anam said, ‘The budget you control is the budget of lakhs of crores of rupees. Don’t you think for a moment, this money is yours. This money belongs to the tax payers, this money belongs to the people. How you are using it, of course we will support you where there is a beautiful right democratic and pro people project but if that project becomes a center of corruption, that will be told to you by independent journalism.’
Mahfuz Anam said, “The time has come to establish a responsible society.” Similarly, the time has come for a new democratic, strong fair, ethical journalism in journalism.’
For that, he urged everyone to work together to gain more public trust in the journalism profession.
This Saturday morning at 10:17 AM, the mass gathering started with the national anthem. Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOWAB) and editors association Adira Parishad jointly organized this 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.
Media representatives and columnists from different levels have also come to this event to stand together for responsible and courageous journalism. Journalists are presenting their statements with the aim of protecting the democratic environment and freedom of the media and ensuring the safety of journalists, upholding the professional dignity and rights of media workers.
