Govt committed to curbing terrorism: Azad
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad Wednesday said the government was firmly committed to curbing terrorism and extremism to ensure security of the people, reports BSS.
Terming the media a powerful apparatus in combating extremism, the information minister said media men could play a responsible role in supplementing the government efforts in this regard.
The minister was speaking at the 3rd dialogue of BEI Students Forum on "Media's Role in Preventing Terrorism in Bangladesh", organised by Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) in its conference room here.
Former adviser of the caretaker government and editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam and editor of the Daily Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman took part in the discussion as special guests.
With BEI President Faruq Sobhan in the chair, editor of defence and strategic affairs of the Daily Star Brig Gen (retd) Shahedul Anam Khan and former ambassador Tariq Karim spoke as designated discussants. Lieutenant General M Aminul Karim attended the discussion on special invitation.
Over 50 students of the BEI Students' Forum from different educational institutions shared their views with the discussants on the issue.
Terming terrorism as a regional problem, Azad said South Asia required an integrated approach to combat the menace and a South Asia Counter Terrorism Task Force could be formed in dealing with the issue.
Mahbubul Alam stressed the need for media campaign in combating terrorism. He suggested setting up a terrorism information centre involving media for effectively addressing terrorism.
Matiur Rahman underscored the need for coordinated efforts of the government and opposition party as well as media for fighting terrorism and militancy.
BEI president said the media should review their policy and decide how much priority should be given to investigative reporting on terrorism and extremism.
Terming the media a powerful apparatus in combating extremism, the information minister said media men could play a responsible role in supplementing the government efforts in this regard.
The minister was speaking at the 3rd dialogue of BEI Students Forum on "Media's Role in Preventing Terrorism in Bangladesh", organised by Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) in its conference room here.
Former adviser of the caretaker government and editor of The Independent Mahbubul Alam and editor of the Daily Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman took part in the discussion as special guests.
With BEI President Faruq Sobhan in the chair, editor of defence and strategic affairs of the Daily Star Brig Gen (retd) Shahedul Anam Khan and former ambassador Tariq Karim spoke as designated discussants. Lieutenant General M Aminul Karim attended the discussion on special invitation.
Over 50 students of the BEI Students' Forum from different educational institutions shared their views with the discussants on the issue.
Terming terrorism as a regional problem, Azad said South Asia required an integrated approach to combat the menace and a South Asia Counter Terrorism Task Force could be formed in dealing with the issue.
Mahbubul Alam stressed the need for media campaign in combating terrorism. He suggested setting up a terrorism information centre involving media for effectively addressing terrorism.
Matiur Rahman underscored the need for coordinated efforts of the government and opposition party as well as media for fighting terrorism and militancy.
BEI president said the media should review their policy and decide how much priority should be given to investigative reporting on terrorism and extremism.