Just a few months after entering journalism, Atikur Rahman Saju, general secretary of Dewanganj municipal BNP, has been elected president of Dewanganj Press Club in Jamalpur.
The sudden entry of an active political leader into journalism and his rapid rise to the top post of the press club have sparked widespread discussion and criticism among journalists in the district.
The new partial committee was announced on Saturday afternoon after a meeting of the press club at the Muktijoddha Complex building in Dewanganj town.
Senior journalist and former president Khademul Islam announced the names of the new committee. Atikur Rahman Saju was elected president, while daily Samakal journalist Abdur Razzaq Mika was elected general secretary.
According to local journalists, Atikur Rahman Saju has long been directly involved in BNP politics. He is currently serving as general secretary of Dewanganj municipal BNP. He previously served as member secretary and convener of the party’s municipal unit.
He entered journalism for the first time in May this year through the online news portal CNA 24 News.
Tarek Mahmud of Kaler Kantho has been made senior vice-president of the newly formed committee.
Khademul Islam Alid of Nagorik TV, Billal Hossain Mondal of Bhorer Kagoj, Ashraf Hossain Raja of Banglabazar Patrika, Faruk Mia of Channel S, Delwar Hossain of daily Amar Shomoy and Nazrul Islam of Dainik Bangla have been appointed vice-presidents.
Mohsin Reza Rumel of Jamalpur News24.com has been made joint general secretary, Zahidul Islam Pikul assistant general secretary and Saiful Islam Fulu organising secretary.
Most journalists in Dewanganj were unwilling to speak publicly when asked how an active political leader could become president of a press club.
However, a committee member who spoke on condition of anonymity said Saju had mainly been given the responsibility to unite journalists divided within the upazila and to curb the activities of fake journalists and extortionists carrying press cards.
The member also said the committee had no fixed tenure and that Atikur Rahman Saju had announced he would step down once the objective had been achieved.
Saju was contacted by mobile phone for his reaction.
He initially responded normally after being congratulated, but when asked about his entry into journalism, he cited being busy and disconnected the call. He behaved similarly when another journalist called and identified himself.
Journalist leaders in the district, however, have expressed deep concern over the development.
Jahangir Alam, general secretary of Jamalpur Press Club, said, “The primary responsibility of journalists is to offer constructive criticism of the government and hold power to account.
But if those who wield that power themselves control journalists’ organisations, the path to independent journalism becomes blocked. Journalism then ends up being reduced to following orders.”
“Political party leaders generally cannot accept objective reporting. Therefore, if an active politician holds a position of responsibility in a press club, serious doubts remain over whether a healthy environment for journalism can exist in that area,” he said.
The names of the general members of the Dewanganj Press Club committee have yet to be finalised and will be announced later.
