Democratic society suffers when media does not work properly: Hasan

Terming journalism as the mirror of the society, Awami League Joint General Secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hassan Mahmood today said multidimensional and democratic society suffer when media does not play its role properly.

“We live in a democratic-multidimensional society, the media is the fourth pillar of the state. So, when the media does not work properly, multidimensional and democratic society are suffered,” he said.

Hasan said that journalism is not just a profession; it is a vow for many journalists.

“There are many journalists who could have retired as secretaries if they had entered the government service. Many have left university jobs to pursue a career in journalism. The best students of the university study in journalism, by loving journalism they come to this profession. It is necessary to keep an eye on the fake journalists, so that they could not to tarnish the image of entire journalistic society,” he added.

He was speaking as chief guest at the concluding ceremony of a function titled “Foundation Training Workshop on Journalism” for the journalists from Rangunia, Raozan and Kaptai, Rajsthali and Kaukhali upazila of Rangamati district, organized by Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) at Kaptai Upazila Auditorium on Friday.

PIB Director General Zafar Wazed presided over the function while Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mizanur Rahman addressed the concluding function as special guest.

Rangunia Press Club General Secretary Jigarul Islam Jigar conducted the function while Superintendent of Police of Rangamati, Mir Modacher Hossain, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mamun, Kaptai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Muntasir Jahan, Additional Superintendent of Police Raushan Ara Rob, Rangunia Municipality Mayor Shahjahan Sikder, Kaptai Upazila Awami League general secretary Ibrahim Khalil and Chandraghona Christian and Leprosy Hospital Director Dr Prabir Khyang , among others, attended the function.

“We want to develop the country not just on material development. In the last 100 years, the countries of Europe have developed a lot with material development. But humanity is lost there. In many cases there is also loss of the sense of value. There are lost family bonds. In European society, 30 to 50 percent of marriages end in divorce,” he added.

He said that the people of the country don’t want that type of society.

“We want a society where the state will be developed not only through material development; there will also be a developed society where there will be humanity, values, patriotism and love,” he added.

Regarding the qualification of journalists, the Information and Broadcasting Minister said, “When I go to various programs of different journalist organizations, many people told me that an educational qualification is required to enter the profession of journalism.”

“But I am personally against it”, he added.

“There are many people in the world who have no degree, but they are very wise. Poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam did not pass Secondary School certificate. Billgates has been dropped from the university three times. But their knowledge has enlightened the world,” he added.

Hasan said that there are many journalists who just pass the metric, but they write much better. Again, there are many journalists who cannot write a good report even after passing the Master’s degree from the university, he added.

“So, I am personally against determining the degree. Journalist leaders across the country said that there is a need to set a strategy for doing journalism, so that no one can get into journalism,” he said.

“Many people claim to be journalists by opening an online media. Their purpose is not journalism, their purpose is different. We have to be aware about them, ” Hasan said.

He said that journalists should also write about on how a better society can be built.