‘Protecting media vital to democracy’

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday underscored the need to safeguard the media to protect democracy.

“To safeguard democracy, the media must be protected,” he said, adding that the media must play a responsible role in protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty and ensuring good governance. The President made the remarks when a delegation of the Managing Committee of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this afternoon.

Referring to his close ties with the press club, the President said, “My relationship with the press club is not merely political, it is a long-standing spiritual relationship… You stood by me during my most difficult times, which is a great achievement for me.”

Stressing the need for taking initiatives to reopen closed newspapers, he said, “If the closed newspapers, including those under special trusts, can be reopened, it will create employment opportunities for at least 1,000 journalists.”

About unity among journalists, the President said, “Unity among the journalist community is extremely important and division will never bring success. If you can unite on fundamental issues, you will be able to build effective relations with both the government and the opposition.”

He called for taking effective measures collectively in protecting rights and standing firm against irregularities against journalists.

The President called upon journalists to work to change the mindset of the younger generation in order to establish democracy.

“Democracy is a culture. It has to be turned into an institution and a positive change in mindset is necessary for that change. We have to come out of old authoritarian thinking and embrace democratic values,” he said.

He added that it is also important to develop democratic language and mentality among the new generation.