As a proud citizen of Bangladesh everyone has responsibility and a role to play.
Being a member of the society, the journalists have social obligation and at the same time they have to maintain ethos and ethics of journalism. Journalists have the right to know but they have obligations and limitations too.
Before breaking any news to the public, the effect and impact of that news have to be taken into consideration so that the adverse impact of that news may not create any sensation in the society.
Two major political parties are active in the politics of Bangladesh. One is Awami League and the other is BNP.
Awami League was formed and organized by the highly educated and highly placed leaders of the Indian Subcontinent like Hossain Shahid Suhrawardy, Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Abul Monsur Ahmed and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. These leaders were dedicated life-long to the cause of the common man of the country.
After a long and step by step movement they got the people ready to know about their rights and got them mentally prepared to achieve those rights and liberty through movement.
At one stage Bangabandhu took the leadership and got the whole nation united on one point and gave a clarion call to liberate the country from the military rule of Pakistan and the War of Liberation had started. Because of his international fame, Bangabandhu was enjoying the whole- hearted support of the global leaders and the Independent Bangladesh came into being in a short period. That means Awami League led the Independence of Bangladesh.
On the other hand, the BNP was formed and nurtured in the cantonment by General Ziaur Rahman after the killing of the father of the nation. Finding no support from the peace-loving people and well-known politicians of the country, General Zia gathered most of the criminals and the bank defaulters to organize BNP.
It is crystal clear by the court investigations that Zia was involved in the killing of the country’s father of the nation.
During the rule of General Zia, most of the time the country was under curfew. Frequent coup in the army had killed hundreds of valiant freedom fighters and army officers. Moreover, political killing and
abduction was a regular feature in the country.
During the long military rule of Zia and Ershad and including Khaleda Zia, the widow of general Zia, no development work was undertaken. They had been engaged in killing their opponents. In the last 40 years they didn’t do anything for the betterment of the common people.
The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina put forward the country on a development highway.
The global people are enthusiastic about investing in Bangladesh and they are keen to be a development partners of Bangladesh.
A lot of welfare steps have been taken by the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. If the ongoing development program is to continue, the government of Sheikh Hasina needs time.
As a leader of the country, Sheikh Hasina is accessible to the people. No dictator was accountable to the people, but Sheikh Hasina usually briefs country’s president and the journalists for her acts and deeds. She is accountable to the common people.
It is clear that the BNP is obliged to Jamaat and they are encouraging the religious extremism in the society which will lead the country to total disaster.
On the other hand, Sheikh Hasina has taught us to have a dream of a better future, so, we will choose Sheikh Hasina to lead the country.
In the name of neutrality we can’t give same treatment to the creator and the destroyer. If the BNP-Jamaat gets indulgence, the country will certainly go into the grip of international terrorism. Khaleda Zia herself and her BNP will not be able to prevent the upsurge of fundamentalism.
Criminal must not get a VIP treatment in media. If we, the journalists, want the ongoing development and economic progress should continue, we have to take a firm stand in favour of peace, progress and prosperity.
Once the Bangladesh is economically prosperous, the media with all other sectors would also be self-
sufficient.
Some illegal words are being pronounced by the opposition party members, which question the validity of the existence of the government, should not be allowed by any media. Objectionable words like Unelected government, Vote dacoity and illegal government, should be completely avoided in print and electronic media.
Sharif Shahab Uddin is
Editor-in-Chief,
Bangladesh Post.
E-mail: [email protected]