"It is the government's wrong activities rather than writing about the social irregularities that damage the country's image," said noted jurist and constitution expert Dr Kamal Hossain.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of the seminar co-organised by the South Asia Free Media Association (Safma) and the Massline Media Centre (MMC) to mark the World Press Freedom Day-2005 in the LGED auditorium.

Dr Kamal, also the president of Gono Forum, said it is the duty of the media to point out the irregularities in society in order to make the government aware of those. He also said concealing information on corruption and criminal activities would rather constitute a false image of the country.

Referring to the recent remarks by some ministers on media's role, he said, "The image of the country would automatically brighten if you follow the constitution in running the state affairs and check corruption."

Dr Kamal said freedom of the press and independence of the judiciary are complementary to each other. He demanded punishment of the criminals for the killings of journalists in recent years.

Noted journalist ABM Musa observed that journalism is now facing multifarious problems that are difficult to overcome. "With a few exceptions, by and large some big business houses are now controlling the media which has repressed the freedom of journalists," he noted.

Eminent educationist Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury said there are many instances of control over journalists, which bars them from performing their duties freely. "The ruling class of the country always tries to strangulate the voices of the media for their political interest," said Prof Chowdhury.

He also criticised the government policy towards distribution of government advertisements as well as the increase in adverts in the newspaper. Advertisements are devouring the newspaper industry depriving the readers of their right to sufficient information.

Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam said freedom of the press is vital for ensuring good governance in the country.

He said some ministers of the incumbent government are casting aspersions against the media and journalists to vitiate the journalism profession.

Referring to the remark "freedom of the press means freedom to lie" made by the Law Minister Moudud Ahmed, Anam said, "I condemn the statement of the law minister. The law minister should come up with proof before making such comment."

"Press freedom means people's right to know. It is to uphold that right that journalists work for, sometimes risking their lives," Anam said.

Renowned lawyer Barrister Amir Ul Islam said journalists should be given exemption from the criminal libel law to protect them from harassment. He also observed that the Official Secrets Acts should be repealed as it curbs free flow of information.

President of a faction of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Gias Kamal Chowdhury urged the government to make the Bangladesh Press Council functional.

Presided over by Safma and National Press Club President Reazuddin Ahmed, the inaugural session was also addressed by Safma General Secretary and Editor of The Daily Aurthoneeti Jahiduzzaman Faruk, Executive Director of MMC Kamrul Hasan Manju, Editor of The Bangladesh Observer Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Dean of Social Science at University of Liberal Arts Dr Shakhawat Ali Khan, journalist Baby Moudud.

Asif Kabir, son of slain Khulna-based journalist Humayun Kabir Balu, inaugurated the seminar.