The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Democracy should be restored to overcome the prevailing crisis in the mass media of the country and freedom of press is a must for the survival of the nation as it is the most effective tool to eliminate all the injustices from the society, said speakers at a roundtable in the capital yesterday.

They made this observation while addressing the discussion on 'The Present Crisis in Mass Media in Bangladesh: Way to Overcome' organised to celebrate the publication ceremony of the bimonthly magazine 'Prostab' by Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) at the University's Senate building.

Prof SMA Faiz, Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, inaugurated the function, which was presided over by DUJA president Mahabubur Rahman.

Language movement hero Abdul Matin was present as the chief guest.

Among others, former DU VC Moniruzzaman Miah, the Bangladesh Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, DU teacher Anisuzzaman, National Press Club President Showkat Mahmud, acting Chairman of Mass Communication and Journalism of DU AAMS Arefin Siddique spoke on the occasion.

Abdul Matin called upon all to contribute their mite in getting rid of the critical situation the country is passing through at the moment

Terming the fund crisis as the major problem of mass media of Bangladesh, Moniruzzaman Miah said the rate of government advertisements should be doubled to salvage the industry from the present crisis.

Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Editor of Bangladesh Observer, urged the government to restore democracy immediately to surmount the prevailing crisis in media.

Academician Anisuzzaman laid emphasis on honesty and objectivity of journalists to feed people with right information. Full existence of democracy will absolutely help the media industry flourish. The mass media must have to survive as it reflects the sufferings of the people and their aspirations, he added.

Showkat Mahmud, President of the National Press Club, said he was looking forward for such a type of democracy where the freedom of speech would not be curtailed.

He also urged the caretaker government to implement the Right to Information Act before their exit in the greater interest of the nation.

Arefin Siddiqe, former President of Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA), said the journalists are scared to provide objective and investigative reports due to the absence of democracy.

United stand of the journalist community could be the main way to overcome the existing crisis in mass media in Bangladesh. Journalists should have full commitment to their profession, otherwise they will not be able to make contribution what the nation needs, he added.

Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Editor Of Dainik Manb Jamin, said return to democracy through a free and fair election is the sole means to solve the crisis in the all sectors including the mass media.

DU teacher and columnist Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, GM Chowdhury, Raquibuddin Ahmed, journalists Abdul Hye Siddique, Ilias Khan, Saleh Shiblee, Quader Goni Chowdhry, Sahabul Haque Shabu, Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron and Khomenee Ihsan also spoke on the occasion.