"It is not surprising that some journalists and editors practise self-censorship and that journalists who are perceived to be overly aggressive or politically partisan have received unwanted attention from persons in positions of authority," she told a seminar in Dhaka.

Mass-line Media Centre (MMC) in association with Manusher Jonno and Unesco organised the programme at the LGED Bhaban auditorium marking the World Press Freedom Day.

"Being a media member in Bangladesh is not without its problems or perils. Violence against journalists is an old story...," Butenis said.

Harassment, threats, or abuse of journalists from any quarter are wrong, as such attempts undermine the truth, credibility of those applying the pressure and ultimately undermine the interests of democracy in the country, she observed.

"It is important that the media stand up to and oppose such pressure, and that the government take effective actions to prevent such pressure and to maintain a conducive climate for media freedom," the ambassador added.

Terming the role of media here as 'active and vibrant', she lauded Bangladeshi newspapers and more recently the television channels for playing an important and proud role in developing the country's democratic traditions.

The newspapers and television channels are a key force for encouraging reforms, holding government accountable, and promoting the public debate that is essential to democracy, Butenis also observed.

She, however, said that the journalists should make every effort to be accurate and balanced. "I have lost track of the number of times I have read in the press about statements I did not make, meetings I did not attend, and actions I did not take."

Speaking at the same session, South Asia Free Media Association President Reazuddin Ahmed said that the journalists face threats and pressures from different quarters of the society.

To ensure safety and freedom of the media, he suggested cancellation of criminal part of the defamation law and replace the Official Secrets Act by the Right to Information Act.

Unesco Representative to Bangladesh Malama Meleisea observed that it is imperative to ensure the safety of media members, both in and outside the workplace.

"We live in the era of information or knowledge society. One cannot imagine today's society without access to information," he said, urging all to press on for the passage of the laws -- National Broadcasting Act and Right to Information Act.

At a different session on 'Liberalisation of broadcasting policy in Bangladesh: present and future perspective,' the speakers observed that the media has not been able to reduce the information gap between the rural and urban people due to lack of proper broadcasting policy. The media has also been largely commercialised, they noted.

In the keynote paper, Jahangirnagar University Lecturer Shahab E Khan said that the government has no specific policy on broadcasting or issuing licences to the private television channels.

He suggested an integrated broadcasting policy and community radio service, so that the marginalised people can have access to information.

Former chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Syed Marghub Murshed proposed adopting liberal TV licensing policy.

At the session moderated by media personality Muhammad Jahangir, Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Shaukat Mahmood observed that although information gap is one of causes of the rich-poor gap, neither the government nor the civil society has taken this crucial issue into account.

ATN Bangla Chief Adviser Saiful Bari said that the private TV channels should play their roles more responsibly by integrating its corporate and professional characters.

Speaking as the chief guest, Bangladesh Today Editor Asafuddowlah said that the autonomy of the state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) could not be achieved due to the interferences of the successive governments.

In another session on security issues and challenges of women journalists in Bangladesh, the speakers said that the society should change its attitude towards the women journalists and play a cooperative role in their professional development.

The Ittefaq Acting Editor Rahat Khan, MMC Executive Director Kamrul Hassan Monju, Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) Executive Director Advocate Sultana Kamal, Dhaka University Professors Abdus Salam and Gitiara Nasreen, barrister Aneek R Haq, women leader Ayesha Khanam, journalists Nasimun Ara Minu and Khaleda Akter Laboni and Zafrin Chowdhury of Unicef also spoke.