Info minister Swapan advises journos to unite under a single press club

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has called on journalists to come together under a single press club.

Speaking at an Eid reunion event at the Agailjhara Press Club in Barishal, he said “Can there be two or three organisations within the same profession?”

“The public and readers are not beholden to anyone. Can anyone simply claim to be a press club and expect acceptance?” he questioned at the programme.

He also said, “There is no reason to think otherwise. If journalism is to be practised, there must be a single organisation.”

The minister said that such assumptions were misplaced and stressed the need for unity among journalists.

“If journalism is to be practised properly, there should be one organisation,” he said.

Also the lawmaker from the Barishal-1 constituency, Swapan emphasised the accountability in the press.
“If the prime minister is held to account, those who work in the media also have to be accountable.”

“Just as members of political parties cannot do whatever they wish, as has been demonstrated by Sheikh Hasina; similarly, having accreditation as a media outlet, journalist or newspaper does not give anyone the licence to act arbitrarily.”

Addressing local journalists, Swapan said, “In Agailjhara, if there are questions, disagreements or disputes over who identifies as a journalist, it is for journalists themselves to determine.

“There is no need for us to decide. Who is a junior journalist, who is senior, who is educated and who is not – these are not for us to judge, because we are readers. Those who lead the press club should form a team and make that call.

“Whoever you consider credible, we will accept as such. And those you identify as misusing journalism for blackmail, we will view them accordingly.”

Emphasising the need for a single press club, the minister said: “Anyone may join whichever journalists’ organisations they wish. But there must be only one press club.

If, from today onwards, there is a single press club, I will attend. Otherwise, even if I am invited, I will not come even for tea.”

He also questioned why journalists, who work together to deliver news to readers every day, could not unite under a single press club.

Noting that journalism is not a profession that typically brings wealth, he said: “Such professions require patronage.

This is true across the world. Great artists, singers or writers do not usually become wealthy; throughout history, they have been supported by the state, rulers and society.

“This is because it is a profession of talent, not manual labour that can be done with physical strength alone. It requires intellect and skill. But if those in this profession cannot resolve their own identity issues, it creates discomfort for both the state and society.”