Speak truth to power, President Abdul Hamid yesterday told journalists, adding that for journalism to be effective, careful attention must be paid to evidence and information.
“Only the practice of telling the right thing can bring journalism to its peak. The mass media must criticise the role of the government, even of me. But bear this in mind: Criticism has to be based on information,” said the president.
He was speaking as chief guest at the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Daily Star newspaper in the capital’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
Hamid said the free flow of information and freedom of expression were crucially important for mass media to flourish.
The president said constructive criticism can play a major role in helping the government make the right choices for the country, provided that it is responsibly done. “Freedom does not mean that the media can do anything it wants to. Freedom does not mean that you can interfere with the freedom of others.”
He said the media sector needs to be equipped with the latest technology to protect against the menace of global terrorism and organised crime. “The government wants the media to work in way that will increase the country’s welfare. Because of this, the government believes any kind of attack on the media is a threat to democracy.”
Veteran Indian newsman Kuldip Nayar told guests attending the Daily Star’s Silver Jubilee celebration that Bangladesh had set an example for secularism and democracy in Asia.
He attributed the country’s success to its tradition of good journalism.
Kuldip was one of several eminent Asian media personalities to attend the event.
The English daily gave out 25 lifetime achievement awards to 24 individuals and one institution. The recipients of the awards are educationist Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, physicist Professor AM Harun-ar-Rashid, social worker Dr Angela Gomes, educationist Professor Anisuzzaman, physicist Professor Arun Kumar Basak, sportsman Bashir Ahmed, botanist Professor Dwijen Sharma, actress Ferdousi Majumdar, singer Ferdausi Rahman, writer Hasan Azizul Haque, civil engineer Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury, social worker Jharna Dhara Chowdhury, businessman Mahbubur Rahman, journalist Matiur Rahman, wildlife conservationist Dr Mohammad Ali Reza Khan, publisher Mohiuddin Ahmed, painter Murtaja Baseer, performance artist Mustafa Monwar, educationist Professor Rafiqul Islam, economist Professor Rehman Sobhan, educationist Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury, writer Syed Shamsul Haq, women’s activist Tahrunessa Ahmed Abdullah, social worker Valerie Ann Taylor, and the Muktijuddho Jadughar (Liberation War Museum).
Professor Anisuzzaman, speaking on behalf of the recipients, said: “By giving these awards, the Daily Star has introduced a good practice that will inspire professionals to do their best.”
Foreign invitees to the gala event included Suthichai Sae Yoon, chairman of Kasturi and Sons Limited, N Ram, publisher of the Hindu Group of Publications, and Geo News Executive Editor Hamid Mir.
