Reform of media to suit democracy urged

A seminar on a pro-people and accountable roadmap to reforming the information and broadcasting sector was held at the National Press Club on Sunday.

GreenWatch Desk 

Speakers at a seminar organised at the National Press Club on Sunday stressed the need for reform of the media for strengthening democracy in Bangladesh. 

The seminar on a pro-people and accountable roadmap to reforming the information and broadcasting sector was told that any reform should take note of the financial struggle of journalists as a tew media houses pay regular monthly emoulments. 

Abul Asad former editor of the daily Sangram chaired the seminar addressed by Prof. Mia Golam Parwar, secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami as the chief guest.

Dr. Khademul Islam Hriday, Assistant Prof. of Communications, Eastern New Mexico University, USA presented a paper at the programme which was also addressed by Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud MP and director, centre for media, information and public policy, GreenWatch Dhaka editor, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Manab Kantha editor, Shahidul Islam, Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, Acting President, BFUJ, Harunur Rashid, Head of News, Ekushey Television, Abu Saleh Akon, president, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Harun Jamil, News Editor, Dhaka Mail and Rafiq Noman, Associate Prof Journalism Dept, Dhaka University spoke among others.

Prof. Mia Golam Parwar said that the question of media reform was discussed when the July declaration was finalised and adopted by all parties but could not be included in the declaration due to differences of opinion.

Accusing the government of moving away from the commitment to implement the July declaration he said media reform now remained distant as the constitutional reform was yet to be accomplished.

Praising the role of one newspaper that championed the independence of Pakistan and another that promoted the independence of Bangladesh he lamented that media people now were not working to safeguard borders. 

Terming journalism as a barometer of civilization he urged the media to exercise freedom within moral bounds.

Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud alleged that the government was suffering from reform phobia. How we can reform the media if we cannot reform the state and the government, he asked.

Mostafa Kamal Majumder underlined the need for vesting the media in qualified hands and ensuring financial security of journalists to ensure free and responsible journalism.

In hispresidential address Abul Asad said we are now in such a state that nether the people were satisfied with the performance of journalists nor journos happy with their own work. This situation should change.