Staff Correspondent

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday urged crime reporters to play a responsible and objective role in building a crime-free, safe and secure society and state.

“Investigative journalists and crime reporters have a significant role to play in building a crime-free and secure society. Crime has changed its nature with the changing times and has now taken a technology-driven and digital form,” he said.

He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme marking the 43rd founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB) at Segunbagicha in the capital.

The minister stressed the need for a modern legal framework, alongside responsible and objective journalism, to prevent and combat crime.

He said crime, criminals, criminology, police and the Home Ministry are closely interconnected, making an organisation like CRAB important for providing information and advice on crime prevention and maintaining law and order.

Ahmed noted that CRAB has established a respected position in investigative journalism over its 43-year journey and currently has 318 professional members.

“Investigative journalism is a high-level, knowledge-based field that requires extensive study and analysis of information,” he said.

Stressing the need to identify the root causes of crime, the minister said crime is merely a “symptom” and that its underlying causes must be identified and addressed.

Analysing various heinous and sensational crimes committed in society, he said drugs and gambling are driving forces behind many such crimes.

“Alongside punishing criminals, we have to deeply analyse society to understand why crimes are being committed,” he said, adding that addressing the sources of crime could effectively reduce the crime rate.

The minister said crime reporters regularly risk their lives to provide objective news.

He said the government would seriously consider providing assistance through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds or other means to crime reporters who are harmed or injured while performing their professional duties.

The minister also said the government would examine the legal aspects of introducing certificates from the Home Ministry or police department in recognition of professional excellence and investigative journalism and would take necessary steps in this regard.

Describing the media as a mirror of society, Ahmed said crime could be reduced substantially if journalists properly discharged their responsibilities towards society.

He said the active role of journalists, alongside the government and law-enforcement agencies, is essential to fulfilling the aspirations of the state and society.

 Citing the country's success in curbing acid attacks, the minister said the government of former prime minister Khaleda Zia had taken stringent legal measures to prevent acid violence.

 The combined efforts of a strong legal framework, a robust media role and widespread social awareness had brought acid-related crimes in the country close to zero, he said.

Similar concerted efforts by journalists, the state and society are needed to eliminate drugs, online gambling and other crimes, he added.

On reforming the legal framework to combat online gambling and drugs, the minister said outdated laws must be modernised in line with changing times.

 He said the 150-year-old Gambling Act, 1867 had been replaced by the Gambling Prevention Act 2026 to tackle online gambling, match-fixing and organised crime networks in the digital space.

 He added that the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Act 2026 had also been enacted.

 “The government is working on necessary legal reforms and new laws so that criminals cannot escape through loopholes in weak legislation,” he said.

 CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal chaired the programme.

Parliament member Shafiqul Islam Masud, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed and Prime Minister's Assistant (Political), with the rank of secretary, Md Rashed Khan, also spoke.

 CRAB General Secretary M M Badshah moderated the programme.

 The speakers highly praised CRAB's 43-year contribution and expressed hope that it would continue its tradition of objective journalism.

Later, the home minister cut a cake to inaugurate the daylong programme marking CRAB's 43rd founding anniversary.