Pabna Dialogue Highlights Role of Journalists in Democracy & Human Rights

Speakers at a dialogue on Wednesday urged the government and media owners to ensure professional security, fair wages and a safe working environment for journalists so they can work independently to protect human rights and strengthen democracy.

The discussion, titled ‘Role of Journalists in Democracy,’ was held at 3:00 PM at the District Human Rights Monitoring Officer's (DHRMO) office on Pabna city's main road. Bachte Chai Samaj Unnayan Samity organized the event in collaboration with the Human Rights Culture Foundation (MSF).

Presided over by senior journalist and District Human Rights Defender Network (DHRDN) convener Abdul Matin Khan, the program featured Advocate Saidur Rahman, Executive Head of the Human Rights Foundation, as the chief guest and resource person. Abdur Rob Montu, Executive Director of Bachte Chai, delivered the welcome address, while District Human Rights Monitoring Officer Kamal Ahmed Siddiqui presented the concept paper.

Expressing deep concern over rising human rights violations, violence against women, rape and murder, the speakers emphasized that a participatory democracy cannot function without an independent and responsible press. However, they noted that political and institutional pressures heavily restrict media freedom in the country.

The participants welcomed an initiative by the Human Rights Culture Foundation to form a 'Human Rights Journalists Network' to better protect media workers and report on vulnerabilities.

Special guests at the event included Pabna Press Club President Akhtaruzzaman Akhtar, former president ABM Fazlur Rahman, former general secretary Akhinur Islam Remon, Empowerment Project Coordinator Nazneen Shabnam and senior journalists Utpal Mirza and Saikat Afroz Asad.

A total of 27 media professionals representing local and national print, television and online outlets joined the open discussion, including Ahmed Humayun Kabir Topu (Staff Reporter of The Daily Star), Shahidur Rahman Shahid (Editor of Daily Notun Bishwabarta) and Sifat Rahman Sanam (Chief Reporter of Daily Ichamati).