Newsmen demand security
5 killed, 295 hurt since last January, speakers at World Press Freedom Day dialogue say in Rajshhai
RU Correspondent
The World Press Freedom Day, 2005 was observed in Rajshahi yesterday through various programmes, demanding government steps to ensure security of newsmen.The Bangladesh Center for Development, Journalism and Communication (BCDJC) and the Central for Communication and Development (CCD), an NGO, jointly organised an open dialogue on 'Journalist Repression: Reality and Responsibility', held at Rajshahi City Corporation training centre. Rajshahi Union of Journalist (RUJ) General Secretary and Daily Sangram's Rajshahi Correspondent Abdur Rahman presented papers at the discussion meeting. The speakers including senior journalists demanded safety of media men and their financial security. They also stressed the need for free flow of information and implementation of the proposed Right to Information Act to ensure press freedom. RUJ President and daily Observer's Rajshahi Correspondent Mustafijur Rahman said political violence and social unrest has made journalism a risky profession in Bangladesh. This is a great threat to the profession. Liakat Ali, editor of local daily Sonali Sangbad, also presented paper on "Threats to Fair Journalism: State of Press Freedom in Bangladesh". Its Assistant Editor Hassan Millat said there can neither be professionalism nor press freedom without financial security of journalists. He also asked the government to form a press commission to implement journalists' demands. According to a report prepared by CPJ, five journalists were killed and 295 injured in the country in attacks on them since January last year. CCD and BCDJC also presented separate reports on murder and repression on journalists. All the speakers said Bangladesh is one of most dangerous countries in the world for newsmen They also demanded immediate arrest and trail all killers of journalists in the country. Over 80 media men from local and national dailies, electronic media and a good number of students from Rajshahi University Mass Communication Department took part in the open dialogue. Earlier, a big colorful rally was brought out in the city. Discussion meetings were also held at Metropolitan Press Club, Rajshai Press Club and at Rajshahi University on the day.
| 
