Protecting interests of any individual or group is not the responsibility of a newspaper, Syed Manzoorul Islam, former professor of English department of Dhaka University, said today.
In addition to keeping up efforts to ensure freedom of expression, newspapers must continue to raise awareness on issues concerning public interest, justice, education, environment, women's rights and the rights of marginalised people, he said while talking as the keynote speaker at a discussion titled "50 Years of Bangladesh: Media Achievements and Future Challenges" at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka.
The conference was organised by Sampadak Parishad.
The achievements of Bangladeshi newspapers are immense as achievement is magnified when limitations are greater, said the former DU professor.
"Even then, there are questions about how objective the newspapers of this country are in publishing the truth," he said.
He also suggested making the Press Council active in order to ensure freedom of expression as well as to protect the interests of journalists.
"It is never desirable for a journalist to go to court in order to express his/her views in the interest of the country. An active Press Council might be the solution. It has to be made in such a way that everyone has confidence in it," he said.
Regarding the comparative positions of newspapers, online media and television, Manzoorul Islam said, "There should be no conflict between newspapers and online media. The potential of our country's newspapers is not over yet. Newspaper has been surviving with television. Youths are being encouraged to take the newspaper forward."
Commenting on the impact of party politics on journalism, he said, "I see a lack of unity among journalists, much like in political parties. That is why in many cases it is not being possible to protect interests of journalists and realise their demands."
Manzoorul Islam also said that journalism should never become "yellow journalism".
Honorary Professor Sakhawat Ali Khan, of the department of mass communication and journalism of Dhaka University, also joined the meeting virtually. He said there should be no division among journalists.
"Together, we have to ensure real democracy. Only then will the newspapers survive," Professor Sakhawat added.
Nurul Kabir, editor of the English daily The New Age; Shyamal Dutta, editor of Bhorer Kagoj; and Mustafiz Shafi, acting editor of Samakal, were present as speakers at the meeting.
Also present were Matiur Rahman, editor of Prothom Alo; Zafar Sobhan, editor of Dhaka Tribune; and MA Malek, editor of the daily Azadi.
Mahfuz Anam, president of Sampadak Parishad and the editor of The Daily Star, chaired the programme conducted by Dewan Hanif Mahmud, acting general secretary of the organisation.
A minute's silence was observed in honour of its late President Golam Sarwar and other members at the beginning of the meeting.
