Staff Correspondent

Condemning the recent report published in the daily Prothom Alo misquoting a minor boy, Dr Salim Mahmud, secretary of Information and Research of Bangladesh Awami League, said exploiting a child in the name of journalism is a heinous offence.

“Being a citizen of independent Bangladesh, I never thought of experiencing such abuse of child in the name of freedom of press in the 21st century,” he said.

Terming abuse of child serious offence as per municipal and international laws, he said the daily unethically used the child to create confusion in the public mind.

The Prothom Alo has not only abused a child but also put the sovereignty at risk by maligning the independence of the country through ill-motivated news item, he opined.

“Such (malicious) attitude towards child is infringement of juvenile act and international charter. The quarter (Prothon Alo authority) has spread confusion about and disregard for the country’s independence. The so-called journalists of the daily have put sovereignty at stake.”

Convincing a child to pose for photo in exchange for Tk 10 and publishing it in newspaper with self-motivated caption cannot be imagined in any civilised country, he said.

He said the daily wanted to benefit from misquoting a first grader committing a detestable crime.

“Child exploitation in exchange for money constitutes a punishable offence. Such initiative also endangers life of a minor.”

Questioning statement of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) over legal action against Prothom Alo editor and reporter, he said “How did you (foreign journalists) address a child abuse incident in your countries?”