Staff Correspondent
Shafik Rehman, editor of Jaijaidin, has been elected president and Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, general secretary of the National Editors Council (NEC).
They were elected for the interim period at the first general meeting of the NEC held at a hotel in the capital on Monday.
Editors of 29 daily newspapers published in Dhaka and different parts of the country attended the meeting. Shafiqul Alam, editor of Wada, was elected treasurer.
The general meeting also approved the constitution of the NEC with some amendments.
The meeting, presided over by Shafik Rehman, discussed press freedom, professional standards in journalism and ways to strengthen unity among editors across the country.
Mahmudur Rahman said the NEC aims to expand its platform and increase communication among journalists.
“We want to make the National Editors Council more inclusive. Communication among journalists should be increased. This initiative has been taken so that editors can remain united for independent journalism,” he said.
He said the organisation had begun its journey democratically in accordance with its constitution at its very first meeting.
“Over the past 17 years, press freedom has been restored in the country through the struggle against the fascist government and the sacrifices of hundreds of martyrs,” Mahmudur said.
He also called for introspection within the journalism profession, saying some editors had helped an authoritarian government become “fascist” through sycophancy.
“We now have to stand upright,” he said.
Jugantor editor Abdul Hai Shikder described the state of journalism over the past 17 years as a “disgraceful chapter”, alleging that the media had been politicised and compromised.
“Instead of asking questions, we must now genuinely ask questions rather than offer praise,” he said.
Referring to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as a pioneer of people-oriented journalism in the subcontinent, Shikder said Nazrul had been a successful editor and had declared independence through his newspaper Dhumketu.
He proposed introducing a Kazi Nazrul Islam Award for contributions to journalism. The meeting subsequently approved the proposal, deciding that the NEC would present the Nazrul Award for journalism every year.
People’s View editor Osman Gani Mansur said journalism had been turned into partisan activity over the past 17 years and had been compromised through various benefits and inducements.
“The NEC has to work to help journalism emerge from this situation,” he said.
Shafiqul Alam said an editors’ platform was essential in post-uprising Bangladesh.
“We have to work so that the NEC can become the voice of the entire country. Through this, the freedom of the press and freedom of expression can be ensured,” he said.
In his presidential address, Shafik Rehman said journalists have an important role to play in maintaining peace and stability in the country.
“If we want to move the country forward democratically, journalists must remain united and work together,” he said, seeking cooperation from all editors to bring editors from across the country under one platform.
Editors who took part in the meeting and shared their views included Naya Diganta editor Salah Uddin Mohammad Babar, Protidiner Bangladesh editor Maruf Kamal Khan, New Nation editor Mokarram Hossain, Bangladesh Pratidin editor Loton Ekram, Manabkantha editor Shahidul Islam, Khabar Sangjog editor Sheikh Nazrul Islam, Bangladesher Khabor editor Syed Mezbah Uddin, Bhorer Dak editor KM Belayet Hossain, Janata editor Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, The Bangladesh Post editor Sadrul Hasan, Banijjo Protidin editor Gias Uddin, Khola Kagoj editor Monir Hossain, Rupali Bangladesh editor Sayem Faruqi, Bhorer Bangla editor Sheikh Mohammad Arif, The Global Post editor Dr Mahbubur Rahman, Nawroz editor Shamsul Haque Durrani, Karnaphuli editor Afsar Uddin Chowdhury of Chattogram, Daily Lok Samaj editor Shantunu Islam of Jashore, Notun Probhat editor Sohel Mahbub of Rajshahi, Daily New Times editor Saiful Islam of Mymensingh, Daily Jalalabad editor Muktabis-un-Nur of Sylhet, Juger Chinta editor Morsalin Babla of Narayanganj, Daily Purbanchal editor Md Ashraf of Khulna and Bangladesh Bani editor Azad Alauddin of Barishal.
