Free press a must
Independent and ethical journalism must continue despite various pressures, said leading editors and publishers yesterday celebrating Bangla daily Prothom Alo's 17th anniversary.
Bangladesh has made considerable progress but it still remains a question whether free journalism has gained grounds proportionately and whether the strong support desired was extended, said Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "Without democracy, neither the country nor journalism will develop. This is why a vibrant democracy is so badly needed," he said.
Bangladesh is now going through a difficult situation amidst a well-planned attempt to strangulate independent journalism, said Mahfuz Anam.
"But we will not be afraid. We have to remain very alert as even a minor lapse would be deliberately exasperated," he said, adding that this was also an opportunity to pursue independent journalism.
One has to pursue journalism unwaveringly keeping away from dishonesty and unethical indulgence both in professional and personal life, said Mahfuz Anam.
Addressing the anniversary celebrations in the daily's Kawran Bazar office in the capital, Latifur Rahman, chairman of Mediastar Limited, which owns Prothom Alo, said they had to face different kinds of pressures in the past 17 years.
"We, however, have to carry on with the values and policy that we believe in. We cannot even think of running after anyone with any motive. But we must neither falter on exposing anything that is damaging for the country and society," he said.
There is adequate reason to be complacent with the successes the daily has achieved, he said, but there is still a need for undertaking tougher challenges to achieve even greater goals.
Prothom Alo Editor Motiur Rahman said the paper played its role in the development of the country by telling inspirational success stories of people over the past 17 years.
"We will withstand all the pressures to carry on with honest journalism," he said, adding that the daily was "a record in Bangladesh's newspaper history".
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