The New Nation - Internet Edition

DU Correspondent

"Though there is confusion among different quarters about holding an acceptable election, we are working very sincerely to present the nation a fair and meaningful election. There is no flaw in our firmness, intention and confidence to steer the country towards democracy," said Education and Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday.

"Neither the government nor the EC is opposition to anyone. We are working tirelessly to hold an acceptable election", he added.

He was speaking at a seminar held at the Nabab Nowab Ali Chowdhury senate bhaban as chief guest.

He urged the media to look into the needs of the voters alongside highlighting the aspects of the candidates and politicians.

However speakers at the seminar on Tuesday expressed doubts whether a free and fair national election is possible keeping the mass media under chain as per the Election Commission code.

Criticising the Election Commission (EC) for initiating a code of conduct for media, the speakers said, it is unprecedented in a civilized state that the EC, not the press council, introduces media rules as per the recommendations of a foreign organisation.

They said a controlled election would be held if media were gagged, fair election will be held if media is free. Referring to the recent US presidential elections, they said, if media can circulate unofficial results of polls there, why the Bangladeshi media couldn't do the same.

They were addressing a seminar on `Democracy and Election: The Role of Mass Media', organised by Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) at the auditorium of Dhaka University Senate Building on Tuesday.

While DU Vice-Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz inaugurated it. Prof Asif Nazrul of DU Law Faculty presented the keynote paper at the seminar with DUJA President Mahabubur Rahman in the chair.

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Chief Editor Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, former president of DU Teachers Association (DUTA) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique and Jatiya Press Club President Shawkat Mahmud, among others, spoke on the occasion.

VC Prof SMA Faiz, in his inaugural speech, hoped that honest and qualified candidates would be elected in the upcoming general elections to lead the country towards democratic boom.

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury said freedom of media is basically the freedom of people. It is not unusual for the media to support any political party in the elections but we make the mistake whenever we mix news with views, he added.

He urged the media to play a responsible and impartial role during the elections irrespective of their political affiliation.

Prof Arefin Siddique said without unreliable or incompetent source should be published as news. The role of media is very important to wipe out the incredibility from mindset of people over holding the elections. Demanding autonomy of BTV and Bangladesh Betar, he said the media wouldn't be media if it were muzzled.

Journalist Shawkat Mahmud strongly criticized the code of conduct for media prepared by the EC saying this would hamper holding free and acceptable election. He said journalist community rejects this restriction on media.

Regretting the partiality in circulating news, Prof Asif Nazrul in his keynote paper said, media should project objective and impartial news during election.

The New Nation editor Mostafa Kamal Mojumder, journalists of many national dailies, different student wings leaders and students of the DU also were present in the seminar.

In the afternoon, DUJA accorded a reception to its founding and former members at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium. DU Pro-VC AFM Yusuf Haider was the chief guest at the function while DU Treasurer Syed Abul Kalam Azad was the special guest. A cultural function was held in the evening.