Staff Correspondent

At the two-day journalist gathering in Mainot, Dohar (often called the Mini Cox’s Bazar), a new organization called the Bangladesh Shangbadik Community (BSC) has been formed to protect journalists’ rights, prevent oppression and persecution, and ensure professionalism free from political influence. The convener of the 51-member committee is M.A. Raihan, a representative of Ekushey TV and Janakantha, while the member secretary is Alpana Begum, a representative of Somoy TV and Bangladesh Pratidin.

The committee has nine joint conveners: Afzal Hossain (NTV), Shah Alam Shahi (Channel I), Gouranga Debnath Apu (Protidiner Bangladesh), Habib Sarwar Azad (Jugantor), Azharul Haque (Prothom Alo), Md. Kamal Uddin (Boishakhi TV), Haider Hossain (BSS), M.A. Akram (Naya Diganta), and Sohag Arefin (Dominik Desh Bangla). Senior investigative journalist Saeedur Rahman Rimon, veteran journalist Fazlul Kader Chowdhury, and Kazi Miraj were named as advisors. The committee is tasked with forming regional committees in 19 districts over the next three months and establishing an executive committee through elections.

More than 200 journalists took an oath during the formation of this convening committee. Saiduzzaman Rowshan, chairman of Prothom Alo’s Friend Sabha National Committee, administered the oath and was named the brand ambassador of the newly formed Bangladesh Shangbadik Community (BSC).

During the gathering held at Mainot Ghat, a call was made for journalism free from political bias and with social responsibility. It was emphasized that due to a faction of politically motivated journalists, the entire profession faces a severe crisis. Stressing the importance of ethical journalism, it was stated that journalists themselves must play a key role in restoring full public trust in the media. This was mentioned in the keynote presented during the journalist gathering held under the banner of the General Journalists’ Society.

The two-day event was attended by over 150 journalists from leading media outlets across the country in a joyful environment. The gathering included activities like boat rides, personal reflections, cultural performances, and discussions on effective measures to protect journalists’ rights and prevent persecution.

The event was inaugurated by Fazlul Kader Chowdhury, a 53-year veteran journalist and editor-publisher of Daily Rupali Soikat, Cox’s Bazar. Afzal Hossain, staff reporter of NTV, presided over the event, while Saeedur Rahman Rimon, editor of Doinik Desh Bangla, gave the opening speech. Specific plans to prevent the persecution of journalists were presented, alongside proposals for ensuring journalism free from political bias, improving the dire conditions of field-level journalists, and creating a united platform.

The lively two-day gathering was hosted by senior reporter of Protidiner Bangladesh and popular host of the Navinagar-based talk show “Kotha,” Gouranga Debnath Apu.