UNB, Dhaka :
President Abdul Hamid on Friday urged the mass media to do constructive criticisms of the government which can help it take the right decisions in running its everyday affairs and building the nation.
“The courage to call the ‘white’ as ‘white’ and the ‘black’ as ‘black’ can take a journalist to the peak of his or her professional excellence. You should criticise the activities of the government, even of me. But, you should remember it has to be based on information,” he said.
He said this while addressing a programme marking the 25th anniversary of English daily The Daily Star at Osmani
Memorial Auditorium in the city.
Free flow of information and freedom of expression are important for the flourishment of the mass media, said President Hamid adding, “You must keep in mind freedom doesn’t mean doing anything as per one’s sweet will. No right has been given to interfere in others’ freedom for maintaining freedom of one. So, we must be conscious while performing duties…self-censorship has to be exercised…one has to be aware so that no one from outside can interfere in our mass media.”
Mentioning that the present government believes in the freedom of press, he said, “We want the newspapers to work for the welfare of the country and its people by using their freedom properly. Any type of attack on the newspapers is also a threat to democracy. Journalists must face the evil forces together.”
Observing terrorism and militancy are global problems, the President said the mass media need to be equipped with the latest technologies to resist and detect technology-based global terrorism and organised crimes taking place in local, regional and international arena.
“The media must play its due role so that no one can commit any evil thing using religion. All the mass media, including the newspapers, will have to work together to face militancy and terrorist acts,” Hamid said.
“Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. Here the people of all religions practise their respective religions freely, and every religious festival is observed here with a common spirit. We never compromise to maintain our tradition,” he added.
The sensible role of the newspapers helps people to acquire knowledge and raise awareness by providing proper information and help find solutions to various problems, the President told his audience.
“The role of the media is immense in building public opinion on various issues. I hope the mass media will play an active role in development of the nation by publishing objective news items apart from being active to help continue the country’s democracy and constitution,” President Hamid added.
Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Dr Anisuzzaman, Chairperson of Media World Limited Rokia Afzal Rahman, eminent journalist of India Kuldip Nayar, chief adviser to editorial and Management Board of the Nation Multimedia Group, Bangkok Suthichai Sae Yoon, chairman of Kasturi and Sons Limited and publisher of the Hindu Group of Publications of India N Ram and editor and publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, spoke on the occasion.
Besides, 24 eminent personalities and one institution -Liberation War Museum- were honoured at the programme in recognition of their contributions to different sectors.
President Abdul Hamid on Friday urged the mass media to do constructive criticisms of the government which can help it take the right decisions in running its everyday affairs and building the nation.
“The courage to call the ‘white’ as ‘white’ and the ‘black’ as ‘black’ can take a journalist to the peak of his or her professional excellence. You should criticise the activities of the government, even of me. But, you should remember it has to be based on information,” he said.
He said this while addressing a programme marking the 25th anniversary of English daily The Daily Star at Osmani
Memorial Auditorium in the city.
Free flow of information and freedom of expression are important for the flourishment of the mass media, said President Hamid adding, “You must keep in mind freedom doesn’t mean doing anything as per one’s sweet will. No right has been given to interfere in others’ freedom for maintaining freedom of one. So, we must be conscious while performing duties…self-censorship has to be exercised…one has to be aware so that no one from outside can interfere in our mass media.”
Mentioning that the present government believes in the freedom of press, he said, “We want the newspapers to work for the welfare of the country and its people by using their freedom properly. Any type of attack on the newspapers is also a threat to democracy. Journalists must face the evil forces together.”
Observing terrorism and militancy are global problems, the President said the mass media need to be equipped with the latest technologies to resist and detect technology-based global terrorism and organised crimes taking place in local, regional and international arena.
“The media must play its due role so that no one can commit any evil thing using religion. All the mass media, including the newspapers, will have to work together to face militancy and terrorist acts,” Hamid said.
“Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. Here the people of all religions practise their respective religions freely, and every religious festival is observed here with a common spirit. We never compromise to maintain our tradition,” he added.
The sensible role of the newspapers helps people to acquire knowledge and raise awareness by providing proper information and help find solutions to various problems, the President told his audience.
“The role of the media is immense in building public opinion on various issues. I hope the mass media will play an active role in development of the nation by publishing objective news items apart from being active to help continue the country’s democracy and constitution,” President Hamid added.
Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University Dr Anisuzzaman, Chairperson of Media World Limited Rokia Afzal Rahman, eminent journalist of India Kuldip Nayar, chief adviser to editorial and Management Board of the Nation Multimedia Group, Bangkok Suthichai Sae Yoon, chairman of Kasturi and Sons Limited and publisher of the Hindu Group of Publications of India N Ram and editor and publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, spoke on the occasion.
Besides, 24 eminent personalities and one institution -Liberation War Museum- were honoured at the programme in recognition of their contributions to different sectors.
