Staff Reporter :
Barrister Mainul Hosein while taking part at the talk show held by Independent TV on Sunday said regretfully that by being activists of political parties the journalists are not helping the cause of free press and lost their power and importance as the fourth estate. This way they have also weakened democracy because without free press democracy cannot survive.
He further explained that this idea of journalists becoming party activists and not remaining professionally independent was transported from India through those who went to India during the Liberation War. In Pakistan days, it was unthinkable for a journalist to be seen as party activist. The renowned journalist Manik Mia was one of the founders of Awami League but when he chose to be journalist he gave up his membership of the party.
Condemning the digital law as barbaric Barrister Mainul felt terribly disturbed that laws are passed without consideration how to check abuse of the laws. The journalists will be completely helpless to the police. The idea is to create an atmosphere of panic about police power to deny the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. The courts protect rights of the people but the courts are now in a precarious position. By kicking out the Chief Justice SK Sinha from the country, the judiciary has been put on notice.
Barrister Mainul emphasised the need of objective conditions for the journalists to write freely without fear as the freedom of the press as a right is essential for democracy and good governance.
Expressing his views on current politics he stressed that politics is not muscle power but a serious intellectual exercise. By accepting Dr Kamal Hossain as the leader of the election alliance BNP has made great sacrifice for offering a peaceful solution through discussion possible. The Prime Minister or her men should have no objection to sit with Dr Kamal Hossain.
Dr. Rezwan Siddique, Professor Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah and Nayeemul Islam Khan were the other participants in the talk show. Khaled Mohiuddin moderated the event.
