Journalists key bridge between parliament and people: Speaker

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad today (4 June) underscored the
importance of journalists as a bridge between Parliament and people, saying
that lawmakers and media professionals must work together to move the country
forward.
The current Parliament carries
enormous public expectations and must remain closely connected to people, he
said while speaking at an exchange of views with members of the executive
committee of the Bangladesh Parliament Journalists' Association (BPJA) at his
conference room in Parliament.
Calling for responsible journalism,
he said media professionals should "call white white and black black"
and provide constructive criticism to help make Parliament more effective.
The Speaker said the present Parliament was established through huge sacrifice
and bloodshed and therefore bears a responsibility to fulfil the aspirations
of people.
He said the country's
institutions have deteriorated over the past two decades and stressed the need
for people-oriented politics and a strong relationship between Parliament and
citizens.
"If this Parliament fails to
meet public expectations, people will become disappointed," he said,
expressing hope that journalists would contribute to meeting those expectations
through their professional work.
Hafiz Uddin said damage done to
journalism during the BAKSAL- era had never been fully overcome.
He said many journalists had
remained influenced by that legacy and argued that the country's media now
enjoys greater freedom.
He criticised the previous Awami
League government, alleging enforced disappearances, the establishment of
secret detention facilities and widespread economic misappropriation during its
tenure.
He said the strength of ordinary
citizens, students, youth and their families ultimately compelled the party to
leave power.
The Speaker stressed that national
interests must remain paramount and welcomed what he described as a relatively
constructive role by the opposition.
"The opposition's job is to criticise the government's mistakes and
shortcomings, and they are doing that. The government's responsibility is to
make Parliament effective. Both sides must work together to strengthen
Parliament," he said.
During the meeting, BPJA leaders
highlighted several difficulties encountered in parliamentary reporting, and
the Speaker pledged to take steps to resolve those issues.
The BPJA delegation was led by its
President Harun Jamil and General Secretary Shawkat Ali Khan Litho.
Among others present were Joint
General Secretary Mizanur Rahman, Office Secretary Nazmul Islam (Tanim Ahmed),
and executive committee members Mashiur Rahman, Monirul Islam and Habibur
Rahman Panchayet.
Officials of the Parliament
Secretariat also attended the meeting.















