Ensure security of journalists
Demands Sultana Kamal; She terms newspersons human rights activists
Journalists are considered defenders of human rights in the modern world and the government has to understand that journalism is a profession no less important than itself or any other line of work, said human rights activist Sultana Kamal. “The duty of newspersons is immense and their importance is not less than the government or any other profession in any way. The government has to keep this in mind,” she said. Sultana, also chairperson of Transparency International Bangladesh, demanded full security of the journalists. She was speaking at a discussion titled 'Journalists in insecurity' organised by anb24.com (Asian News Broadcast 24), an online news agency, at Dhaka Reporters' Unity in the city. She also launched the website of the news agency at the programme. Also the executive director of rights body Ain O Salish Kendra, Sultana said government should understand that journalists are human rights activists. "Wherever any violation of human rights occurs they [journalists] will speak up. They will take photographs and spread the news,” she said. Sultana Kamal said the government and home ministry are frequently saying that whatever is being spoken up against the government are not based on facts or exaggerated. If the interpretation of speaking against the government is speaking against the pro-liberation force or speaking against the government deliberately then it would be regretful, she said. "No body gave the country's ownership to them [the government] completely. It is our moral responsibility and right to speak if any irregularity or anything undemocratic takes place,” Sultana said. Sultana also urged the newsmen to maintain professional etiquette, decorum and authenticity saying that it would be easier to thwart the repression against journalists if they maintain the etiquette and authenticity. Biplob Mostafiz, news editor of anb24.com, and Shakhawat Hossain Badsha, president of DRU, also spoke.
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