PM's word of advice

While sharing the PM's concern for national image, we would like to say that the independent media's objective role enhances the country's prestige rather than diminishing it. The fundamental point that needs to be stressed, however, is: if events, incidents and trends that undermine the image of the country do not happen, the journalist would not have been under the painful necessity of publishing reports and photographs on them. But incidents damaging the image of the country are taking place on a regular basis, and it is the bounden duty of journalists to cover things as they happen.

So if there is a sweeping expectation that the untoward incidents will not be reported, it would smack of a misplaced emphasis on journalistic do's and don't's.

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The issue is not reporting or publishing photographs, but it is about stopping the free fall of law and order, corruption and malgovernance that automatically made news, like it or not. Why is the government not reining in the gun-toting cadres, thereby saving it the embarrassment of an avoidable exposure? And when we see political dissidents being manhandled and harassed, shall we not be failing in our duty if we do not report such incidents? The question is what is the status of the ' right to protest'? On the one hand, we see Jubo Dal elements occupying a road space to organise rallies; and on the other, we watch the opposition being denied the opportunity of organising similar things. It is this undemocratic attitude of the government that brings bad name to the country.

We mince no words when it comes to criticising the opposition for its faults. The media's commitment to upholding the image of the country should be understood in terms of its courage and professionalism in presenting the facts. It can hardly be overemphasized that in the midst of many negative things, it is the media's role based on truth and independence of judgement that has brightened the image of Bangladesh.

If the truth is blacked out, it is the government which will be the ultimate loser. The media must be looked upon as an objective and neutral channel for obtaining information. Otherwise, press freedom will not mean anything in practical terms.