News should be objective without any bias towards any quarters. Credibility is the first pre-requisite for a journalist, he said while addressing an open discussion with members of The Daily Star Readers Club here.

The programme was held at the Shilpakala Academy with senior journalist Zamir Ahmed Tun, Correspondent of the Bangladesh Observer and Bangladesh Betar in the chair. Other professionals and members of the club also took part in the discussion. They included Jessore Bar Association member Quazi Abdus Shahid Lal , Editor of the Daily Kallayan Ekramu-ddoulah, journalist Benjin Khan, poet Fakre Alam, N O official Masudul Islam, Prof. Sukumar Das, cultural activist Sraboni Sur and Readers Club members Saleh Ahmed, Al Naihan Khan and Koushik Sur.

The Daily Star Correspondent in Jessore Abu Bakr Siddique delivered the welcome address while Co-ordinator of the Readers Club Rafi Hossain explained the objectives of the club. Convenor of the Readers Club in Jessore Masudul Alam conducted the programme.

Mahfiz Anam said journalists have e great role to play in consolidating democracy, development of the country and fighting social ills. He assured the club members of all possible assistance in their efforts for welfare.