TIB calls upon govt to help media play impartial role

FE Report | Published: May 03, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Expressing its concern over interference in media, persecution of journalists by a section of law enforcers and creating obstacles to dispensing responsibilities, Transpa-rency International Bangladesh (TIB) urged the government to create an enabling environment for media so that they can play an independent and impartial role.
The TIB made the call on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day 2015 to be observed today (May 3).
In a statement issued on Saturday, TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman said the government enacted the Rights to Information Act 2009 and Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011. On the other hand, it has amended the article 57 in the Information and Communication Technology (Amendment) Act 2013 and included few articles in the National Broadcast Policy 2014 which has created the risk of curtailing the constitutional rights of media and rights to freedom of expression of an individual.
He expressed his concern over the torture of a journalist by law enforcers, killing of bloggers and a lengthy trial process over the murder of journalist couple Sagar and Runi.
Mr Zaman said after so many years of the killing of Sagar and Runi there was no proper investigation and trial while failure of the law enforcing agencies in identifying the killers of blogger Abhijit and the recent incident of journalist persecution violated the constitutional rights to freedom of expression.
It was not expected in any democratic country, he added.
He also condemned the discriminatory decision to bar some journalists' entry into the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
"The top government representatives call upon the journalists to make constructive criticism on one hand and harass the journalists on the other hand, following a double standard which is an obstacle to flourishing of democracy," said Mr Zaman.
He suggested playing a positive role both by the media personnel and the government to make the press council effective.
Mr Zaman urged the journalists to stay out of the partisan politicisation and uphold the professionalism and objectivity.
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