President Abdul Hamid has said that untrue, provocative and yellow journalism can never play positive role for mass people as well as democracy.
The President came up with the statement while addressing Bangladesh Press Council's Award Giving Ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Sunday.
President Abdul Hamid hoped that Bangladesh Press Council will work for preventing yellow journalism in the country.
He mentioned that the council has prepared guidelines and code of conduct for journalists, especially for journalists working in newspapers.
"I hope the Bangladesh Press Council will play a more effective role in protecting the freedom of the press," he said.
Abdul Hamid said that freedom of press, access to the information and people's empowerment are interrelated with one another.
"Independent and free mass-media can integrate the democracy and also play an important role in establishing human rights and rule of law in the country," he added.
The President urged mass media to play more active role to continue country's democracy, constitutional trend and national development through objective journalism.
Pointing out rapid expansion of media houses, the President put emphasis on playing more responsible role of newsmen to reach the good results of these at mass people's doorstep.
Five journalists and one organisation were given "Bangladesh Press Council Award-2018" in six categories in the ceremony for their outstanding role in journalism.
UNB said, President handed over the award in the function. Each awardee was given Taka 50 thousand, a crest and a certificate.
Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu, State Minister for Information Tarana Halim, Bangladesh Press Council Chairman Justice Mohammad Momtaj Uddin Ahmed addressed the function.
Chairman of parliamentary standing committee on the Information Ministry A.K.M. Rahmatullah, acting Information Secretary Md Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of Jury board and Samakal Editor Golam Sarwar and Press Council member and journalist leader Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul also spoke in the programme.
