The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Journalists, media related people and experts yesterday renounced the final draft of the Ordinance on right to information, as the proposed ordinance would be a barrier in providing information to the people.

The decision has been taken at a discussion meeting held on Saturday at the National Press Club.

They also called upon street protest if the government implemented the proposed ordinance of right to information in its present form.

The Ordinance on Right to Information, which has been approved by the Council of Advisers, would constrain instead of expansion of the right of information of the people, they said.

Among others, the discussion was participated by Ataus Samad, Editor the Daily Amar Desh, Mahbubul Alam, former adviser of the caretaker government and Editor of the Daily Independent, Reazuddin Ahmed, Editor of the News Today, Nurul Kabir, Editor of The New Age, Shyamol Datta, Editor of The Daily Bhorer Kagoz, Shawkat Mahmud, President of the Press Club, M Shakhawat Ali Khan, former Prof of Mass Communication and Journalism Dept of Dhaka University, Asif Nazrul, Prof of Dept of Law of Dhaka University and Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ).

The Media Commission,

Bangladesh arranged the discussion on, 'Reviewing the draft of Right to Information Ordinance' at Jatiya Press Club with its Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelly presiding.

Terming the ordinance as frustrating, Mahbubul Alam said there was nothing for the welfare of people in the final draft.

Renouncing the ordinance, he said the right, that was given, would be taken away through this ordinance.

"If the ordinance is passed in its present form the people shall never know the criminal investigation report until the organisations publish it for the knowledge of people", said Mahbubul Alam.

Speakers said that Section 35 of the proposed ordinance shall be a deterrent to the freedom of the press and right to information of the prople.

Shawkat Mahmud said the word 'Priority' was omitted in Clause 3 which will hinder the Official Secrets Act.

He mentioned that Clause 9(B) was not specific and would therefore deter journalists to provide information for the people.

He said, "As the government will fix remuneration for the officials of Information Commission, the commission will become dependent on the government."

Mentioning the ordinance as the worst, comparing it to the three South-Asian countries- India, Pakistan and Nepal, Asif Nazrul said, "Nowhere in the world it had been mentioned that the reporter cannot write anything, which will deteriorate the relationship between the country and the international organisation."

Reazuddin Ahmed said the ordinance is like an improved version of the Official Secrecy Act. "Ii is not acceptable in any way", he added.

He called upon the government to formulate the law in line with the draft provided jointly by BFUJ, JPC and SAFMA.

Terming the final draft of right to information ordinance as very disappointing, Mahbubul Alam said. "We did not imagine that such an ordinance would be approved."

He said agreement with foreign countries or other organisations should be disclosed in the public interest. "There is no scope for playing hide and seek with it."

Reazuddin Ahmed said, the present government is dominated by the bureaucrats and not representative in character. So they have very little to deliver for the journalists.