Speakers during a webinar said that the crisis of media ownership, undue pressure from public and private sectors, internal and external conflicts, and the Digital Security Act (DSA) are the main reasons for the growing concern and misery of the media.
To this effect, they recommended building unity among journalists and its different unions and platforms despite their ideological differences, removing the obstacles from the government for press and journalists, protecting constitutional rights of media, abolish colonial and repressive laws to end harassments of journalists and initiating a dialogue among the stakeholders to overcome the prevailing challenges.
Their observations and recommendations came during a webinar on ‘Freedom of Press and Public Interest’ on Saturday.
The webinar was organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) with the support from UK Aid and Asia Foundation.
The discussion covered the current state of media freedom in Bangladesh in terms of protecting and promoting the rights of the common people.
The contemporary heated issue regarding journalist Rozina Islam was also touched upon by the speakers.
Shaymal Datta, editor, Bhorer Kagoj, Shoeb Chowdhury, president, Editorial Board, The Asian Age, Zahirul Alam, head of News, NTV, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), and Julhas Alam, head of Bureau, Dhaka, AP, and the CGS Chairman Dr Manjur A Chowdhury spoke at the function.
The webinar was moderated by Zillur Rahman, executive director of the CGS.
Speaking on the occasion, Julhas Alam, in his speech raised concern about the editorial policy of the newspaper where he said a fine line should be established between ethics and standard to enhance the quality of such policy.
He also pointed out the presence of multiple competing press clubs in a single district which is creating division among journalists.
Zahirul Alam noted that a dark alliance has emerged in this sector that is directly affecting the quality of investigative journalism, and the mushroom growth of media houses is, in fact, detrimental to freedom of media as it reduces check and balance evaluation.
Shoeb Chowdhury laid emphasis on media law and broadcast law, which are in his opinion not up to the international standard.
He suggested increased coordination and consensus among journalists to tackle contemporary challenges.
Shaymal Datta expressed his utter doubt about free media in the country.
Terming that editorial institutions are being used as a shield for the media owners, he said journalism today has lost all its independence and has become a hostage to the corporate system.
The owners are using the media in the country as a shield to protect their own interests due to lack of appropriate policy on media ownership, Mr Datta added.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan in her speech stressed the accountability of public servants who are being paid through people’s taxes.
She also demanded an answer to why the phone calls of common people are being tapped and leaked.