Press freedom

The newspaper readers of Bangladesh have thus started thinking that the press is their 'well-wisher' and the people in power are 'unsympathetic' to their interests. It is a fact that in a developing country like ours, the government always faces critical scrutiny of its actions because of the failure to fulfil people's expectations. The press, on the other hand, as a 'well-wisher' of the people does not hesitate to critically evaluate the government actions, directly or indirectly accusing and advising the people's representatives off and on.

If we take stock of the last six months and the accusations made by the press against the public leaders and elected representatives, it will constitute some volumes. But the critical comments made by some elected representatives against newspapers are few. Yet the press continues publishing critical writings against the elected representatives. Such a state of affairs can be attributed to the freedom of the press. The learned journalists should accept the truth sincerely. Otherwise, they may be accused of not having the courage to appreciate the reality or not having their eyes and hearts open. Indeed, there is none to advise the press to practise self-criticism.

I sincerely feel, there will be no conflict between the press and the ruling class if the 'professional and objective' role is pursued by the press.