Seek own ways to get correct news

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ACC Chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury speaking as the chief guest at a discussion on Creating Awareness in Fighting Corruption jointly organised by the RAC and the CCSB at the LGED auditorium in the city Saturday. — FocusBangla Photo

Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury Saturday urged journalists to seek their own ways to get the correct news without being shackled by the Official Secrecy Act and certain other laws and government rules.
The ACC chairman said this while speaking as the chief guest at a certificate distributing ceremony and discussion at the LGED Bhaban in city Saturday, reports UNB.
Reporters Against Corruption (RAC) and Commonwealth Cultural Society of Bangladesh (CCSB) jointly organised the certificate distribution ceremony of a six-day training workshop for journalists' and discussion meeting on 'Creating Awareness in Fighting Corruption'.
Chaired by News Today Editor Reazuddin Ahmed, the discussion was addressed, among others, by The Independent Editor Mahbubul Alam, CCSB President ASMA Khalique and General Secretary Syed Shukkur Ali Shuvo, and RAC President Shahiduzzaman and General Secretary Mizan Malik.
"Don't care about 'famous or infamous' Official Secrecy Act or certain other laws and government rules. Find your own ways to get the correct news… if there is a will there is a way", Chowdhury said.
About granting autonomy to the commission, the ACC chairman told journalists after the programme that some opportunities would have to be given so that the commission could recruit and train people, and determine the service conditions as per needs.
"We have been brought to work through the government. For its success, some opportunities will have to be given so that we can recruit and train people and determine other service conditions", he said.
Replying to a query about his meeting with the Chief Adviser in this connection Thursday, he declined to elaborate.
The ACC chairman also said there could not be 10 independent organisations in a country. The government of Bangladesh is the only independent organisation.
"You talk time and time again about autonomy, independence and neutrality. These are relative words. There cannot exist 10 independent organisations in Bangladesh. Bangladesh government is the only independent organisation."
Addressing the discussion, the ACC chairman said the opportunities should be created so that RAC and the commission could work together.
The ACC would seek assistance from the reporters, as they are at the forefront, he said.
Stressing the need for RAC to earn recognition and cooperation from ACC and other organisations, Chowdhury said he would be happy if the commission's activities could be taken forward with the help of reporters.
Emphasising the need to stay above question, the ACC chairman said the complaints heard about reporters should not touch the members of RAC.
The former Army chief said he would soon resume public relation activities across the country to prevent corruption.
Mahbubul Alam said cooperation from the media is essential for the success in the campaign against corruption.
Freeing the country from corruption is the precondition of democracy and rule of law, he said.
The Independent editor said that due process of law should be followed in dealing with the graft suspects so that no innocent person is harmed.
"At the same time, it must be ensured that the corrupt cannot live in peace", he said.
News Today Editor Reaz-uddin Ahmed said that if the Access to Information Act is enacted, the anti-graft campaign would be more successful.
Later, certificates were distributed among the participants who completed the six-day course.