Rangpur Correspondent

Mahmudur Rahman, publisher and editor of the Daily Amar Desh has said journalism and journalists should be free from corporate influence in post-revolutionary Bangladesh.

"We have achieved new independence after being freed from the pressure that was on journalists to spread the truth during the fascist Awami League era. We have to be fearless in spreading the truth," he said here this evening.

Rahman opined this while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled 'What kind of media do we want in post-revolutionary Bangladesh' held at Rangpur Reporters Club auditorium in the City Market area of the city. Rangpur Journalists' Union (RPUJ) and Rangpur Reporters Club jointly organized the event.

RPUJ President Alhaj Salequzzaman Salek presided over the meeting moderated by General Secretary of RPUJ and Rangpur Reporters' Club Sarkar Mazharul Mannan.

Daily Amar Desh News Editor Zahed Chowdhury, its Director Shakil Wahed and President of the Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) Engineer Reazul Islam Riju addressed the discussion as special guests. Mahmudur Rahman said, "We have to stand up against irregularities and corruption. For this, we have to do investigative journalism. In this regard, editors have to keep a vigilant eye."

Recalling the memory of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of the anti-discrimination student movement, Rahman said that the nation has achieved new freedom in exchange for Abu Sayeed's blood.

"We should take our journalism to a new level by utilizing this new independence," he said, and told the editors and correspondents of local and national newspapers that journalists should be free from corporate influence. 

Mahmudur Rahman said, "We should keep a vigilant eye on the fact that no one can use us as a tool to achieve personal interests." Senior journalists, editors and journalists' leaders including Liaqat Ali Badal, Mahbub Rahman Habu, Khandaker Mostafa Sarwar Anu, Mozaffar Hossain, Mahbubul Islam, Chonchol Mahmud, Rezaul Karim Manik, Humayun Kabir Manik and Mominul Islam Ripon also spoke.

Local journalists were present at the time. Earlier, Mahmudur Rahman visited the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayeed in village Babanpur under Pirganj upazila in the district, offered Ziarat there and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.