Help uphold democracy, PM urges editors
Monday, 28 December 2009
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sought cooperation of the media in maintaining uninterrupted run of the hard-earned democracy in the country, as she said it is sine qua non for protecting people's rights and interests, reports UNB.
She made the call when a delegation of Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) led by its President and Independent Editor Mahbubul Alam met her at her official residence Jamuna on Sunday evening.
The Prime Minister told the media owners and editors that without democracy it is not possible to protect people's interests and the media can play a strong role in further strengthening the foundations of democracy in the country.
The Daily Star Editor, Mahfuz Anam, Daily Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, NOAB member from Ittefaq Anwar Hossain Manju, Sangbad Editor Altamas Kabir, Financial Express Editor Moazzem Hossain, Samokal Publisher AK Azad and New Age Managing Director ASM Shahidullah Khan, among others, were on the NOAB delegation.
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad briefed newsmen after the meeting. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister MA Karim and Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Mahbubul Hoque Shakil were also present.
Prime Minister Hasina also requested the media owners to present various successes and achievements of the government before the people and not to publish "untrue" news.
"Praise our good deeds; constructively criticise our mistakes, but please do not make untrue news. We want to give our patriotic hardworking countrymen a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. Help us in achieving the development goals," she said.
Hasina noted that all knew amid what situation the people had to elect their own democratic government at the last December 29 polls.
"Now it is our moral and sacred duty to change the fate of the mass people. We are working round the clock to do that. I want help from all in the society to overcome all problems and crises," she said.
Hasina said she and her government want to build Bangladesh as a most peaceful country in South Asia. "Media can be one of the strongest tools in attaining such peace."
The NOAB members welcomed the verdict of the Bangabandhu Murder Case, saying that with this historic verdict the rule of law has been upheld in the country.
They gave special thanks to the Prime Minister for her cabinet's decision for rescinding the provision for issuing arrest warrant against journalists from the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
"Through such decisions, the government's commitment towards press freedom is reflected," the media seniors were quoted as saying in appreciation of the government step changing the warrant process into summons process in dealing with cases against journalists.
Constitution of the Information Commission by the government was also highly praised by the NOAB members.
About the recently concluded Copenhagen climate summit, they said Sheikh Hasina with her able leadership was successful in establishing the rights of not only Bangladesh but also of all countries who fell victim to the climate calamities.
They assured the Prime Minister of standing by the government to realise the country's demands regarding climate-adaptation funds and cuts in the carbon emissions.
The NOAB delegation apprised the Prime Minister of various problems facing the newspaper industry.
She gave them a patient hearing and assured them of all necessary cooperation from government side for further development of the industry.
She made the call when a delegation of Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) led by its President and Independent Editor Mahbubul Alam met her at her official residence Jamuna on Sunday evening.
The Prime Minister told the media owners and editors that without democracy it is not possible to protect people's interests and the media can play a strong role in further strengthening the foundations of democracy in the country.
The Daily Star Editor, Mahfuz Anam, Daily Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, NOAB member from Ittefaq Anwar Hossain Manju, Sangbad Editor Altamas Kabir, Financial Express Editor Moazzem Hossain, Samokal Publisher AK Azad and New Age Managing Director ASM Shahidullah Khan, among others, were on the NOAB delegation.
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad briefed newsmen after the meeting. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister MA Karim and Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Mahbubul Hoque Shakil were also present.
Prime Minister Hasina also requested the media owners to present various successes and achievements of the government before the people and not to publish "untrue" news.
"Praise our good deeds; constructively criticise our mistakes, but please do not make untrue news. We want to give our patriotic hardworking countrymen a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. Help us in achieving the development goals," she said.
Hasina noted that all knew amid what situation the people had to elect their own democratic government at the last December 29 polls.
"Now it is our moral and sacred duty to change the fate of the mass people. We are working round the clock to do that. I want help from all in the society to overcome all problems and crises," she said.
Hasina said she and her government want to build Bangladesh as a most peaceful country in South Asia. "Media can be one of the strongest tools in attaining such peace."
The NOAB members welcomed the verdict of the Bangabandhu Murder Case, saying that with this historic verdict the rule of law has been upheld in the country.
They gave special thanks to the Prime Minister for her cabinet's decision for rescinding the provision for issuing arrest warrant against journalists from the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
"Through such decisions, the government's commitment towards press freedom is reflected," the media seniors were quoted as saying in appreciation of the government step changing the warrant process into summons process in dealing with cases against journalists.
Constitution of the Information Commission by the government was also highly praised by the NOAB members.
About the recently concluded Copenhagen climate summit, they said Sheikh Hasina with her able leadership was successful in establishing the rights of not only Bangladesh but also of all countries who fell victim to the climate calamities.
They assured the Prime Minister of standing by the government to realise the country's demands regarding climate-adaptation funds and cuts in the carbon emissions.
The NOAB delegation apprised the Prime Minister of various problems facing the newspaper industry.
She gave them a patient hearing and assured them of all necessary cooperation from government side for further development of the industry.