Dhaka: Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, emphasized the critical role journalists play in bridging the gap between the public and parliament, urging collaboration between the media and legislature to bolster democracy and national development. His remarks came during a session with the executive committee of the Bangladesh Parliament Journalists Association (BPJA) held at the Speaker's conference room in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the BPJA delegation was headed by President Harun Jamil and General Secretary Shawkat Ali Khan Litho, with the presence of other officials including Joint General Secretary Mizanur Rahman and Office Secretary Nazmul Islam. Senior officials from the Parliament Secretariat also attended the meeting, as mentioned in a press release.
The Speaker stressed the heightened public expectations from the current parliament, pointing out that historical mismanagement and declining standards have weakened various state institutions. He highlighted that the establishment of the current parliament involved significant sacrifice, struggle, and loss of life, thus necessitating its effective role in aligning with public aspirations.
Emphasizing the necessity for parliament to remain engaged with the populace, the Speaker noted the essential responsibility of journalists in promoting people-oriented politics and meeting public expectations. He remarked on the negative impacts of past political decisions on media freedom but acknowledged the greater operational freedom currently enjoyed by the media in Bangladesh.
Reflecting on the aspirations post-independence, he lamented that many hopes from 1971 have diminished over time, citing past occurrences of enforced disappearances, repression, corruption, and economic exploitation that contradicted public expectations. However, he acknowledged the growing unity among people, including students and youth, driving a momentum for change.
The Speaker underscored that national interest should be prioritized above all else, expressing optimism that both ruling and opposition parties would responsibly contribute to a more effective and dynamic parliament. He outlined the opposition's role in constructive criticism and the ruling party's responsibility to ensure smooth parliamentary proceedings.
Highlighting the media's role, he urged journalists to present facts accurately and differentiate truth from falsehood, asserting that constructive media scrutiny can enhance parliamentary effectiveness and accountability.
BPJA leaders outlined various challenges journalists face in parliamentary reporting, and the Speaker assured that necessary measures would be taken to address these concerns. The meeting also explored ways to enhance cooperation between parliament and the media, streamline information dissemination, and improve coverage of parliamentary activities.