Dhaka, May 3 (BDNEWS) – Speakers Tuesday at a discussion meeting on "Freedom of the Press and Today's Bangladesh" urged the journalists to be united to protect the freedom of the press.
Human rights organisations- Bangladesh Centre for Development of Journalism and Communication (BCDJC), Media Watch and Odhikar organised the discussion meeting on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day at the National Press Club.
Information Minister M Shamsul Islam, Awami League presidium member Amir Hossain Amu, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president Hasanul Huq Inu, Supreme Court Bar Association president Advocate Mahbubey Alam, BNP lawmaker Sardar Sakhawat Hossain Bakul, chairman of Parliamentary Standing committee of Cultural Affairs Shahidul Islam, chairman of Privatisation Commission Inam Ahmed Chowdhury, editor of Bangladesh Observer and BFUJ president Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, editor of Khabarpatra Gias Kamal Chowdhury, Mabubuddin Ahmed Bir Bikram and Nayemul Islam Khan addressed the meeting.
Gono Forum leader Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, Pankaj Bhattacharya, chairman of Mass Communication and Journalism of DU professor Dr Golam Rahman, among others, were also present at the meeting.
Executive Director of Media Watch Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul read the keynote paper and general secretary of the National Press Club Shawkat Mahmud preformed as mediator on the occasion.
Information Minister M Shamsul Islam said the government is working hard to establish the rights of the journalists.
"The Wage Board, which has already been framed, as per the demands of the journalists, will be announced soon," he said.
The Information Minister also said the government will consider on whether a press commission can be formed or not to review the present situation of the press industry.
Amir Hossain Amu said the journalists have mostly been oppressed during period of the present government and that is why, they have achieved the standard of international awards.
"Those, who are involved in genocide and oppression after general election of 2001, are thinking themselves as above the laws as these section have been receiving back-up support from the government. The terrorists have attacked the journalists who had written on incidents of repressions to journalists, and these sorts of attacks have been increasing," he said.
BDNEWS/2050 hrs.
