Lust for power hurts democracy

Democracy is affected when powerful people crave more power, Editor of Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman told the newspaper's 17th founding anniversary programme in Sylhet city on Friday.

He said newspapers were the fourth pillar of the state, and they guarded democracy.  He said pressure came from different sides on them, and it was one of the barriers to uninfluenced journalism. However, "we do not bow to the pressure," he added. Highlighting the activities of the Bangla daily, he said, "Our agenda was the victory of Bangladesh. We also want to win."

The programme was conducted by Ujjal Mehedi, Prothom Alo's Sylhet staff correspondent, while Sylhet Metropolitan University Vice-Chancellor Prof Saleh Uddin spoke on behalf of the readers of the region.

The event ended with the performance of singer Mahmuduzzaman Babu.