ACC chief prods journalists for investigative reports

Amidst allegations that some sections of the recently passed Digital Security Act have shut the way for doing investigative reporting, the Anti-Corruption Commission chief has said such reports on the graft-busters are welcome.

“The main issue of journalism is investigative reporting. Please continue this brand of journalism. Don’t be discouraged,” Chairman Iqbal Mahmood told journalists at the closing session of a workshop on investigative reporting at the Press Institute of Bangladesh in Dhaka on Tuesday.

He stressed the need for investigative reporting in preventing corruption and asked journalists not to be afraid of writing about the commission.

“Always publish the truth through investigative journalism. Please write, be it against the commission, or me, or any official. The organisation won’t move ahead if you stop providing information from your investigation,” he said.

Iqbal, however, added that it was not possible for him to answer every question. “But if you don’t challenge me, I won’t correct myself,” he said.

Journalists have objected to some parts of the law passed recently to ensure citizens’ security on internet. Rights groups allege the law will curb freedom of expression. The Editors’ Council staged a rare demonstration on Monday demanding amendment to certain sections of the law.

The ACC chief said he was not aware of the new law. “But you have nothing to fear. The ACC will welcome your investigative reports on its organisational issues,” he said.

He also said the commission would not take any journalist to court for such reports.

Speaking about the new Act, PIB Director General Md Shah Alamgir said no law can stop journalism. “Laws are for bad people. So, journalists have nothing to fear about the law.”

Abul Kalam Azad, chief editor of state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, and Mohiuddin Ahmed, the general secretary of an organisation of journalists who cover the ACC, also spoke at the event.