'Make press council effective to ensure press freedom'
The journalists should guide the people through their reports and constructive criticism to establish good governance, they said.
The Bangladesh Press Council organised the seminar on 'Press freedom, responsibility and code of conduct' at the National Press Club in the city.
The speakers also called for not publishing any report that goes against the nation's interest.
They urged the journalists, editors and newspaper owners to uphold journalism ethics and values by publishing true and unbiased news.
"Newspapers should publish all true news but refrain from publishing such true news that will have an adverse affect on the national security and sovereignty," said Speaker Jamir Uddin Sircar as chief guest.
He said journalists could play a vital role in establishing good governance and in improving the quality of democracy through their report and constructive criticism of the ruling party.
Law Minister Moudud Ahmed said freedom of press does not mean publishing untrue and biased news that might mislead the nation.
Information Minister M Shamsul Islam said the newspapers should not publish such news that might create confusion in the people's mind.
Two papers -- 'Freedom and responsibility of the Newspaper' and 'Code of conduct for newspaper and Press Council' -- were presented at the seminar.
Gias Kamal Chawdhury, president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Sadeq Khan, chairman of Press Institute of Bangladesh, and Kazi Sirajuddin Ahmed, editor of the daily Dinkal also spoke.
Justice M Mozammel Haq, chairman of Bangladesh Press Council, presided over the seminar.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments