World Press Freedom Day

'The Daily Star' celebrates World Press Freedom Day by reflecting on the direction of the industry

The Daily Star
Monday, May 4, 2009

WITH the focus on "the enormous potential of media to serve as a platform for fostering dialogue, mutual understanding and reconciliation," World Press Freedom Day 2009 was observed yesterday everywhere including Bangladesh. This is undoubtedly a day when hundreds of thousands of media people all over the world collectively respond to a single theme and ponder how they can improve quality of journalism so that they can serve the people better. This year the emphasis has been on the role media can play in promoting intercultural dialogue for mutual understanding by eradicating hatred, ignorance and prejudice through an inclusive coverage of different opinions and values.

Being an active member of the media in Bangladesh, we are wholeheartedly with the theme, as it amply reflects what we believe at heart and strive to implement. Though media's potential as an agent for change has never been exploited fully, it has all the same grown tremendously and acquired a new dimension. Today, we have quick dissemination of news through electronic, print, internet, radio and cellular phones updating clients about what's happening around the globe. To say the least, media horizon is widening with a diversifying array of programmes to offer to its millions of clients. A lot of young people today are getting attracted to this thrilling world ready to practice journalism.

This year's theme also included the imperatives of maintaining high ethical standards for journalists. We fully agree with the concept and strongly propose that employers and the journalist community must not compromise on the ethical side of the profession. This is in fact vital for its survival as it thrives on public trust. The personal honesty of a journalist as well as that of the organisation he works for helps build credibility of both. Therefore, both the person and the organisation will have to be on guard against external and internal impediments that might work simultaneously to damage the reputation.

The political divide often visible in the journalist community is another issue that needs to be addressed with due seriousness. While journalists should abstain from working for coterie interests, media house owners, patrons and the government should also ensure that freedom of the press in no way is choked for petty interests. We hope the present government will extend full support to upholding press freedom in the interest of good governance.

Date Posted: 5/4/2009