The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rajshahi

Speakers at a meeting here on Tuesday described journalists as influential individuals for nation building and urged the authorities concerned to create an atmosphere congenial to journalism.

In this context, they also said the media and journalists could play a vital role in continuing democratic practice side by side with establishing good governance and human rights in the country. They were addressing the closing ceremony of a two-day orientation for the media personnel jointly arranged by the Bangladesh Centre for Development, Journalism and Communication (BCDJC) and the Asia Foundation in the conference hall of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).

USAID extended financial support for organising the orientation under its 'Leaders of Influence (LOI) programme'. Some 54 journalists of both the print and electronic media and news agencies from Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Natore, Naogaon, Pabna and Joypurhat districts attended the orientation.

Main objective of the programme was to build competent civil society to assist the nation-building process along with ensuring good governance and human rights in every spheres of life. Chief of Party of LOI Programme of the Asia Foundation Russell Pepe and his deputy chief Nazrul Islam, joint director of BCDJC Nurul Hassan, executive director of Centre for Communication and Development (CCD) Golam Mourtoza, programme officer of Social Marketing Company Shihab Uddin Chowdhury addressed the closing ceremony, among others.

Speakers said active participation of newsmen and their positive media coverage is indispensable for successful implementation of all development activities.