Photo: Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) organized a discussion on media and freedom of speech...
Democracy and development complement each other. Democracy is essential if development is to be meaningful. And freedom of media is essential for democracy. The speakers said these things at a discussion meeting organized by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on media and freedom of speech on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day on Saturday (December 9).
Anti-corruption Investigative Journalism Award, 2023 was presented by TIB during this discussion meeting at TIB office in Dhanmondi of the capital.
President of the program and TIB Chairperson Sultana Kamal said, "Some say zero tolerance has now become tolerant." I would like to add, not only tolerated, but indulged. Not only is corruption being tolerated, human rights violations are being tolerated, injustice is being tolerated, but shelter is also being given. The limit has been exceeded a little more than the tolerance.
Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, said, "In reality, if development is to be meaningful for the people, then democracy is essential. And by ensuring democracy, people's freedom of speech, freedom of media, freedom of expression can be made meaningful. Media freedom is essential for democracy. Freedom of the media is one of the fundamental human rights. Among the non-state forces that hold the government accountable, the media is at the top.
TIB Co-Coordinator (Outreach and Communication Division) Zafar Sadiq presented the keynote in the discussion meeting.
He said, 'laws are not made to ensure freedom of speech, laws are made to control it. Freedom of speech, opinion and thought can only be replaced by its full freedom. A developed and prosperous state can never be built by suppressing any dissenting opinion. To ensure the unconditional freedom of speech, opinion and thought, journalists, civil society, including the government, the state must do whatever is necessary.'
Riaz Ahmed, Executive Editor of Dhaka Tribune, Chief News Editor of News 24 Shahnaz Munni, Zulfikar Ali Manik, Planning Consultant of Baisakhi Television, Badruddozza Babu, Instructor of Investigative Journalism, spoke at the meeting. Apart from this, Independent Television's chief news editor Ashish Saikat gave a speech.
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