The 31st founding anniversary of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) was celebrated through a colourful array of events, including a rally, cake cutting, and cultural performances.
Throughout the daylong event held on Thursday at the DRU premises, politicians, ministers, and eminent personalities addressed the gathering on media freedom, objective journalism, and the role of journalists in democracy.
The programme commenced in the morning with the hoisting of the national flag and the DRU flag to the sound of the national anthem. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the chief guest, formally inaugurated the anniversary celebrations by releasing balloons and pigeons.
A colourful rally was subsequently brought out from the DRU premises. Former leaders of DRU, journalists from various media outlets, and invited guests took part in the daylong celebrations.
Speaking at the event, Rizvi emphasised that there is no alternative to media freedom for flourishing and strengthening democracy and ensuring the rule of law.
“There is no alternative to media freedom if we want to develop and strengthen our democracy and ensure the rule of law,” he said, adding that the presentation of objective news reduces terrorism and bribery, making society cleaner.
Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan remarked that the responsibilities of journalism are tougher than the work of a politician. “If one remains objective, there will be no problem,” he noted.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman highlighted the significant role of the news media in democratic achievements, saying that the media deserves “equal credit” for the present stage. “In our time, you will get a free media. There will be no interference of any kind in journalism,” he assured.
Minister of State for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque called for ensuring the freedom of journalists and the freedom of speech for ordinary citizens. Stressing that past occurrences must not be repeated in Bangladesh in the future, he said, “Truth must be spoken, and there should never be any backing down in this regard.”
Shafiqul Islam Masud, a member of the Central Working Council of Jamaat-e-Islami and Member of Parliament for the Patuakhali-2 constituency, said, “The media decides whether democracy will remain or go back into darkness”. Describing journalists as soldiers not only of the pen but also of the street, he urged the media to work for the country rather than for any individual, party, group, or government.
Veteran journalist and writer Shafik Rehman called for maintaining peace and stability in the country. Urging everyone to give the government led by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman an opportunity to serve a five-year term, he said, “An election will take place after five years, when another government or another party will come.”
He urged against creating instability through movements during this period and advised DRU members to maintain coexistence and empathy despite differences of opinion.
