The Bangladesh Observer

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Mr Hamidul Haque Chowdhury, a veteran lawyer and the first finance minister of the then East Pakistan, brought out the Pakistan Observer in 1949. It established itself as a good English-language newspaper. The newspaper was popular as it had many sections and covered district news. It used to encourage young writers. The standard of news was good.
I am grateful to The Pakistan Observer as it published hundreds of my letters 'to the Editor'. So I feel an urge to say something at the sad demise of the newspapers which groomed many journalists who are now serving in many fields.
After independence, the paper was called The Bangladesh Observer. It soon faced some problems in matters of management. Financial crisis stifled the paper and hindered its publication. The management of the paper appealed to all, including the government, to solve the problems. But unfortunately nobody came forward to rescue the paper. The paper embraced death causing anguish and disappointment to many.
The Bangladesh Observer could have been saved if it had merged with other papers. The government also could have taken over its management. Even the journalists could have formed a foundation to run the paper. We understand that the journalists and management/owners were not in agreement in many matters.
We also find that media outlets, both print and electronic, are being closed down. But no strong protest is noticeable! Can we readers raise our voice to demand re-publication of The Bangladesh Observer?

Mahbubul Haque Chowdhury
Lake Circus
Kalabagan
Dhaka