Free, independent press bridge between government, people

An independent and free press is a must for establishing true democracy and good governance in Bangladesh, which plans to ensure sustainable development, said Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, yesterday.

"For sustainable development, firstly, it is essential to know people's opinion. The government can know this through its party men or through intelligence agencies. But only the free press can give the objective and authentic views of the people," he added.

Mahfuz Anam was delivering a speech on "Sustainable Development and Press Freedom: Context Bangladesh" organised by Nazmul Karim Study Centre in RC Majumdar Auditorium of Dhaka University.

The government will adopt policies for different development projects but the private sector must be involved in the implementation, said Mahfuz Anam, adding that the private sector would build up industries and boost trade to create employment opportunities.

Neither the bureaucracy nor any other state machinery will raise questions if the government's plan fails to work in such a way, he mentioned.

So, it is a free press which will bring the whole thing before the public, he said. "There is no way for a society which can fight against corruption without a free press," he added.

He said it was the duty of the free press to act as a bridge between the government and the governed by focusing on transparency and accountability in all sectors in a democratic country.

He mentioned that the free press works as a watchdog to scrutinise any corruption or irregularity in the government projects.

"Parliament is a big institution and it is supposed to play a role in focusing on the government's failures. But it cannot do so properly as the majority of its members are of a particular party," he said.

So, it is an independent press which shows the government's failures to establish transparency and accountability in its policies and activities, he added.

Terming journalists "social doctors", Mahfuz Anam said it was the supreme duty of journalists to uphold truth to serve the country.

"If the press fails to work freely, progress of society can be seriously hindered," he said.

He, however, said the press must ensure transparency and accountability in its actions. In this regard, he mentioned that in many countries media watchdogs usually monitor press' activities.

Later, Mahfuz Anam replied to queries of participants regarding the free press and government.

Chairing the event, DU Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said the press must uphold its credibility by acting as a bridge between the government and people.

Dr Nehal Karim, director of Nazmul Karim Study Centre, gave the welcome address and presented a brief biography of Mahfuz Anam.