Journalists 'reject EC-formulated code of conduct'
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
DU Correspondent
Speakers at a seminar Tuesday expressed doubt whether a free and fair national election is possible keeping the mass media under chain of a 'code of conduct' by the Election Commission (EC).
Criticising the EC for initiating a code of conduct for media, the speakers said, it is unprecedented in a democratic country like Bangladesh that the EC, not the Press Council, introduces media rules as per the recommendations of a foreign organisation.
They said controlled election will be held if media are controlled, free election will be held if media are free. Referring to the recent US presidential election, they questioned, if media can circulate unofficial results of polls there, why the Bangladeshi media cannot do the same.
They were addressing a seminar on `Democracy and Election: The Role of Mass Media', organised by Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) at the auditorium of Dhaka University Senate Building Tuesday.
Education and Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman attended the function as the chief guest while DU Vice-Chancellor SMA Faiz inaugurated it. DU law faculty teacher Asif Nazrul presented the keynote paper at the seminar with DUJA President Mahabubur Rahman in the chair.
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Chief Editor Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, former president of DU Teachers Association (DUTA) AAMS Arefin Siddique and Jatiya Press Club President Shawkat Mahmud, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Addressing the seminar, Hossain Zillur Rahman said the government is determined to hold a free, fair and credible election.
"Though there is confusion among different quarters about holding of an acceptable election, we are working very sincerely to present the nation a fair and meaningful election. There is no flaw in our firmness, intention and confidence in leading the country towards democracy," he said.
"Either the government or the EC is opponent to none. We are working unitedly to hold an acceptable election," he added.
He urged the media to look into the needs of the voters alongside highlighting the aspects of the candidates and politicians in the election.
Dr SMA Faiz, in his inaugural speech, expressed the hope that honest and qualified candidates would be elected in the upcoming general election to lead the country towards democracy.
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury said, freedom of media is basically the freedom of people. "It is not unusual for the media to support any political party in the election but we make the mistake whenever we mix news with views," he added.
He urged the media to play a responsible and impartial role during the election irrespective of political ideology.
Arefin Siddique said, no news without reliable and competent source should be published in the newspapers. The role of media is very important to wipe out the incredibility from mindset of people over holding the election. Demanding autonomy of BTV and Bangladesh Betar, he said, media will not be media if its voice is muzzled.
Shawkat Mahmud strongly criticised the code of conduct for media undertaken by the EC saying this would hamper holding of free and acceptable election. He said the journalist community rejects this restriction on media.
Regretting extreme partiality in circulating news, Asif Nazrul in his keynote paper said, media should project objective and impartial news during the election.
In the afternoon, DUJA accorded a reception to its founding and former members at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium. DU Pro-VC AFM Yusuf Haider was the chief guest at the function while Treasurer Syed Abul Kalam Azad was the special guest. A cultural function was held in the evening.
Speakers at a seminar Tuesday expressed doubt whether a free and fair national election is possible keeping the mass media under chain of a 'code of conduct' by the Election Commission (EC).
Criticising the EC for initiating a code of conduct for media, the speakers said, it is unprecedented in a democratic country like Bangladesh that the EC, not the Press Council, introduces media rules as per the recommendations of a foreign organisation.
They said controlled election will be held if media are controlled, free election will be held if media are free. Referring to the recent US presidential election, they questioned, if media can circulate unofficial results of polls there, why the Bangladeshi media cannot do the same.
They were addressing a seminar on `Democracy and Election: The Role of Mass Media', organised by Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) at the auditorium of Dhaka University Senate Building Tuesday.
Education and Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman attended the function as the chief guest while DU Vice-Chancellor SMA Faiz inaugurated it. DU law faculty teacher Asif Nazrul presented the keynote paper at the seminar with DUJA President Mahabubur Rahman in the chair.
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Chief Editor Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, former president of DU Teachers Association (DUTA) AAMS Arefin Siddique and Jatiya Press Club President Shawkat Mahmud, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Addressing the seminar, Hossain Zillur Rahman said the government is determined to hold a free, fair and credible election.
"Though there is confusion among different quarters about holding of an acceptable election, we are working very sincerely to present the nation a fair and meaningful election. There is no flaw in our firmness, intention and confidence in leading the country towards democracy," he said.
"Either the government or the EC is opponent to none. We are working unitedly to hold an acceptable election," he added.
He urged the media to look into the needs of the voters alongside highlighting the aspects of the candidates and politicians in the election.
Dr SMA Faiz, in his inaugural speech, expressed the hope that honest and qualified candidates would be elected in the upcoming general election to lead the country towards democracy.
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury said, freedom of media is basically the freedom of people. "It is not unusual for the media to support any political party in the election but we make the mistake whenever we mix news with views," he added.
He urged the media to play a responsible and impartial role during the election irrespective of political ideology.
Arefin Siddique said, no news without reliable and competent source should be published in the newspapers. The role of media is very important to wipe out the incredibility from mindset of people over holding the election. Demanding autonomy of BTV and Bangladesh Betar, he said, media will not be media if its voice is muzzled.
Shawkat Mahmud strongly criticised the code of conduct for media undertaken by the EC saying this would hamper holding of free and acceptable election. He said the journalist community rejects this restriction on media.
Regretting extreme partiality in circulating news, Asif Nazrul in his keynote paper said, media should project objective and impartial news during the election.
In the afternoon, DUJA accorded a reception to its founding and former members at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium. DU Pro-VC AFM Yusuf Haider was the chief guest at the function while Treasurer Syed Abul Kalam Azad was the special guest. A cultural function was held in the evening.