BANGLADESH: 'Fanaticism poses threat to press freedom'

Speakers at lecture organised by Journalist Monajatuddin Memorial Committee say that religious fundamentalism threatens objective journalism

The Daily Star
Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Journalists are being tortured by vested quarters for exposing injustice and corruption and the religious fundamentalism has now emerged as a threat to objective journalism, speakers said at a memorial lecture on Monday.

Journalists Shamsur Rahman, Manik Chandra Saha and Dipankar Chakrabarti were killed for their integrity and bravery as they took a stand against injustice through objective journalism, they said.

'Rural journalism and Kangal Harinath Majumdar' was the topic of the lecture organised by Journalist Monajatuddin Memorial Committee at the Liberation War Museum in the city, with Justice KM Sobhan as chief guest.

The speakers said Kangal Harinath showed great honesty and courage 150 years ago while edited the monthly 'Grambarta Prokashika', but such qualities are rare among the journalists of 21st century.

Finally, he also lost his job for writing against the then British rulers and the Zaminders.

Prof Abul Ahsan Chowdhury of Islamic University, Kushtia, presented a keynote paper.

The Grambarta Prokashika was published from kolkata and distributed in remote villages in Bangladesh. It played an important role in ensuring social security at that time. (Source: Asia Media)

Posted by proutist-universal on October 24, 2004 03:54 AM