Dhaka: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday urged crime reporters to play a responsible and objective role in preventing crime and building a safer society, stating that their role is increasingly important as the nature of crime evolves with advances in technology. He made this appeal while speaking as the chief guest at a programme marking the 43rd founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB) at Segunbagicha in the capital.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister mentioned that the government is considering providing assistance to crime reporters who are injured or otherwise affected while performing their professional duties, either through government initiatives or corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds. He also noted that the government will explore, subject to legal considerations, the possibility of awarding certificates through the Ministry of Home Affairs or the police department to recognize professional excellence and investigative journalism.
Salahuddin highlighted that crime reporting differs from many other journalistic beats as it largely involves investigative journalism, which carries risks. With the changing nature of crime, he emphasized the necessity for journalists to enhance their knowledge of technology and emerging crime forms. The minister underscored the significant role crime reporters play in building a crime-free and secure society, stressing that responsible and objective journalism is crucial alongside modern legal frameworks to prevent and combat technology-driven crimes.
He further explained that the media, police, and the Ministry of Home Affairs are interconnected in combating crime and maintaining law and order. He acknowledged CRAB's important role in providing information and suggestions in this regard. Salahuddin praised CRAB, with its 318 professional members, for establishing a respected position in investigative journalism over its 43-year journey, describing it as a knowledge-based field requiring extensive study and analysis of information.
Emphasizing the need to identify the underlying causes of crime, the minister stated that crime should not merely be treated as a symptom and its root causes must be addressed. He identified drugs and gambling as major driving forces behind many serious crimes, stressing the importance of analyzing society to understand why crimes occur rather than focusing solely on punishing offenders.
Salahuddin remarked that the government has taken steps to update the legal framework to address emerging crimes, including online gambling and drug-related offences. He referred to the decline in acid-related crimes, attributed to strong laws, media attention, and social awareness, calling for similar joint efforts to tackle drugs, online gambling, and other crimes.
Concluding his speech, the minister described the media as a mirror of society, highlighting that journalists' active and responsible participation, alongside the government and law enforcement agencies, is essential for reducing crime.