UN support to be sought to prepare report on 15 years’ journalism

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said Bangladesh will seek support of the United Nations (UN) to prepare a transparent report on the last 15 years of journalism in Bangladesh.

The Press Secretary said this at a discussion titled ‘Bangladesh after the July Revolution: Challenges of the Media’ at Chattogram Press Club on Friday  afternoon.

Chattogram Press Club and Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists Union (CMJU) jointly organised the discussion.

Chaired by Member Secretary of Chattogram Press Club Interim Committee Jahidul Karim Kochi, the discussion was addressed by Obaidur Rahman Shahin, acting President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, and Quader Gani Chowdhury, Secretary General of BFUJ, as special guests.

A concept paper was presented by Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.

Speaking as the chief guest, Alam said Bangladesh will expect such a report that will depict the overall role of media in the July-August uprising.

“The United Nations will be requested to form an expert panel to probe and publish a detailed report on the role of journalists in all major incidents, including the three elections held in the last 15 years, the convictions by the ICT, the loss of lives in incidents across the country after the verdict in the Maulana Sayeedi case, Shapla Chattar tragedy, and all the major incidents,” he said.

The press secretary said now country's people are enjoying the most freedom of expression comparing to any time in the past.

“Now people are writing openly and criticising the government,” he said adding “Many people are saying us that we are showing softness to the cohorts of the dictator. But we cannot do anything beyond law," he said.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Mozumder criticized the former government's use of the Digital Security Act to suppress press freedom. 

He confirmed that the interim government is committed to abolishing the law and implementing recommendations from the newly formed Media Reform Commission.