President Abdul Hamidon urged mass media to play more active role to continue country's democracy, constitutional trend and national development through objective journalism, reports UNB.
He said 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.
President Abdul Hamid was addressing Bangladesh Press Council's Award Giving Ceremony held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city on Sunday.
He said it is a holy responsibility of newspapers and journalists to establish the society with equity and justice, alongside help readers proceed towards the path of truth and welfare by presenting objective news and opinions.
About rapid expansion of media houses, including private television channels, FM Radio, online radio, online television and community radio, during present government's rule, the President put emphasis on playing more responsible role of newsmen to reach the good results of these at mass people's doorstep.
He said that untrue, provocative or yellow journalism can never be the friends of people as well as democracy.
President Abdul Hamid expressed the hope that Bangladesh Press Council, which has prepared guidelines and code of conduct for journalists, especially for journalists working in newspapers, has helped in preventing yellow journalism in the country.
"I also express the hope that the Bangladesh Press Council will play a more effective role in protecting the freedom of the press," he said.
Five journalists and one organisation were given "Bangladesh Press Council Award-2018" in six categories for their outstanding role in journalism.
President handed over the award in the function. Each awardee was given Tk 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, chairman of parliamentary standing committee on the Information MinistryA.K.M. Rahmatullah, MP, 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 at the programme.
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