The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury yesterday urged reporters to prepare anti-graft investigative reports in their own way objectively ignoring the Official Secrecy Act and certain other laws and government rules.

"Don't care about famous or infamous Official Secrecy Act or certain other laws and government rules. Find your own ways to prepare the news… if there is a will there is a way," he said.

The ACC chairman was speaking at a certificate distribution ceremony and discussion as chief guest at the Local Government Engineering Department Bhaban in the city's Agargaon area. Reporters Against Corruption (RAC) and Commonwealth Cultural Society of Bangladesh (CCSB) jointly organised the 'Certificate Distribution Ceremony of a six-day Training Workshop for Journalists' and `Discussion Meeting on Creating Awareness in Fighting Corruption'. Chaired by News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, the function was addressed, among others, by The Independent editor and former Adviser to the caretaker government Mahbubul Alam.

About granting autonomy to the Commission, Mashhud told reporters after the programme that some opportunities would have to be given so that the Commission could recruit and train people, and determine the service conditions as per needs.

"We have been brought to work through the government. For its success, some opportunities will have to be given so that we can recruit and train people and determine other service conditions," he said.

Replying to a query about his meeting with the Chief Adviser on the ACC's organogram on Thursday, he declined to elaborate.

The ACC chairman also said there could not be as many as ten autonomous or independent organisations in a country. The government of is the only independent organisation.

"You talk time and time again about autonomy, independence and

neutrality. But, these are relative words. There can't exist 10 independent organizations in a country. The Bangladesh government is the only independent organization and we want to work with the government closely," he said.

Addressing the discussion meeting, the ACC chairman said the opportunities should be created so that RAC (Reporters Against Corruption) and ACC could work together.

The Commission would seek assistance from the reporters, as they are at the forefront, he said.

Stressing the need for RAC to earn recognition and cooperation from ACC and other organisations, Mashhud said he would be happy if the Commission's activities could be taken forward with the help of reporters.

Emphasising the need to stay above question, he said the complaints heard about reporters should not touch the members of RAC.

The ACC chairman said he would soon resume public relation campaign across the country to prevent corruption.

Editor of The Independent and former Adviser Mahbubul Alam said cooperation from the media is essential for the success in the campaign against corruption.

Freeing the country from corruption is the precondition of democracy and rule of law, he said.

Mahbub Alam said that due process of law should be followed in dealing with the graft suspects so that no innocent person is harmed.

"At the same time, it must be ensured that the corrupts cannot live in peace."

News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed said that if the Access to Information Act is enacted, the anti-graft campaign would be more successful.

CCSB president ASMA Khaleque and general secretary Syed Shukkur Ali Shuvo, and RAC president Shahiduzzaman and general secretary Mizan Malik also spoke at the function.

Later, certificates were distributed among the participants, who completed the six-day course.