Staff Reporter :
Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr Iftekharuzzaman has said a suitable environment is a must for objective and independent mass media in the country.
“The mass media has played a pivotal role in the democratic progress of the country. The media is advancing despite many obstacles. The pressure on mass media is increasing day by day,” he said.
Iftekharuzzaman said this while speaking at a discussion titled “SDG 16 and good governance: Government, Mass media and citizens” at the TIB’s office in the capital on Tuesday.
Former Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda presided over the discussion while media personalities Afsan Chowdhury and Md Jahangir addressed it.
Director (Outreach and Communication) of TIB Rizwan-ul-Alam presented the keynote paper at the discussion.
ATM Shamsul Huda said changing of state structure is a must to ensure freedom of mass media.
“Before coming to power our political parties pledge that they will work for the interest of the people. But when they amuse power they want that the state agencies do work for them only,” he said.
Shamsul Huda said, Pakistan is better than Bangladesh in the aspect of some of its state organs.
“Their judiciary, anti-corruption and bureaucracy are performing better than us,” Huda told the discussion, organised by Transparency International Bangladesh.
“Pakistan is a failed state. But even then, they are doing better than us in some aspects. Even in some cases Nepal is also performing better than us,” he said.
Shamsul Huda said all the movements in the country are basically election-centric. “Once the political party assumed the office, it started taking various initiatives to weaken the institutions.”
The former bureaucrat also said despite such drawbacks, Bangladesh is moving forward and he hoped that the country would continue to do so in the coming days. Rizwan-ul-Alam, in his keynote paper, said rule of law, contribution of mass media and freedom of the press have inter-relation.
“The government must give priority to the public opinion. If the government ignores public opinion and shrink the freedom to opinion it faces public confidence,” Rizwan-ul-Alam said.
Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr Iftekharuzzaman has said a suitable environment is a must for objective and independent mass media in the country.
“The mass media has played a pivotal role in the democratic progress of the country. The media is advancing despite many obstacles. The pressure on mass media is increasing day by day,” he said.
Iftekharuzzaman said this while speaking at a discussion titled “SDG 16 and good governance: Government, Mass media and citizens” at the TIB’s office in the capital on Tuesday.
Former Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda presided over the discussion while media personalities Afsan Chowdhury and Md Jahangir addressed it.
Director (Outreach and Communication) of TIB Rizwan-ul-Alam presented the keynote paper at the discussion.
ATM Shamsul Huda said changing of state structure is a must to ensure freedom of mass media.
“Before coming to power our political parties pledge that they will work for the interest of the people. But when they amuse power they want that the state agencies do work for them only,” he said.
Shamsul Huda said, Pakistan is better than Bangladesh in the aspect of some of its state organs.
“Their judiciary, anti-corruption and bureaucracy are performing better than us,” Huda told the discussion, organised by Transparency International Bangladesh.
“Pakistan is a failed state. But even then, they are doing better than us in some aspects. Even in some cases Nepal is also performing better than us,” he said.
Shamsul Huda said all the movements in the country are basically election-centric. “Once the political party assumed the office, it started taking various initiatives to weaken the institutions.”
The former bureaucrat also said despite such drawbacks, Bangladesh is moving forward and he hoped that the country would continue to do so in the coming days. Rizwan-ul-Alam, in his keynote paper, said rule of law, contribution of mass media and freedom of the press have inter-relation.
“The government must give priority to the public opinion. If the government ignores public opinion and shrink the freedom to opinion it faces public confidence,” Rizwan-ul-Alam said.
