Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has called upon the journalist community and newspaper authorities to ensure media freedom and neutrality.
He pointed out that the fundamental responsibility of a newspaper is to present the truth with honesty and courage, without succumbing to any pressure or influence.
Shafiqur, also the opposition leader in Parliament, expressed this hope at an event held at the city’s Dhaka Club, marking the anniversary of TIMES of Bangladesh. Praising the progress of the publication, Shafiqur added that it has transitioned from childhood into youth.
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He highlighted that the newspaper’s success lies in its courage to present information and news to meet the demands of the time – something which many other publications fail to display.
Emphasising objectivity, he insisted that the pen of a newspaper must never bend to the left or right under the pressure of political or vested interests, but must always follow a straight path.
He added that even if a report goes against an individual, the truth must be presented if it serves the public interest.
Shafiqur also urged journalists to depict black and white directly as the truth, without employing any metaphors. He expressed his expectation that the newspaper would become the number one choice of readers by upholding objectivity and neutrality.
