Dewan Masukur Rahman
Staff Correspondent
Srimangal (Moulvibazar), 20 February 2025: Liberation War researcher, editor of RP News and prominent columnist Comrade Syed Amiruzzaman said, "The media is called the fourth pillar of the state. The other three pillars are the legislature, judiciary and executive. It is clear where the importance and position of the media is! A democratic state is not complete without a free media oriented towards the public interest.
The media must play the role of vigilant watchdog as a fellow fighter in the people's struggle, including exposing inconsistencies in the government and administration.
In fact, the media is a fellow fighter in the people's struggle, a joint propagator of principles and ideals and a joint activist, a guardian of public interest and the state. The media shows the right path so that the government, administration and the people can be guided in the right direction. The media is not an opponent of the government, administration and the people; but it will monitor the public interest. Therefore, without a strong and powerful media, the state system of the public interest cannot stand on a solid foundation.
Even if the other three pillars of the state are weak, if the fourth pillar is strong, the state can be kept people-oriented. But if the fourth pillar is weak, the state system becomes alienated from the people and the state is in danger.
I am personally a very optimistic person. Light will surely come after the darkness. But will that happen according to the laws of nature? Someone has to play a role.
"There will always be risks in journalism. If we are vigilant and aware, honest and dedicated journalists will not disappear. The words honesty and professionalism will never disappear from the dictionary of journalism. There is no place for dishonest and yellow journalism."
He made these remarks while delivering a guest speech at a relatives' gathering organized in Srimangal to mark the silver jubilee celebrations and 26th anniversary of the country's leading daily 'Jugantar'.
The rally was held at the Srimangal Press Club on Wednesday (February 19, 2025) at 8:30 pm. At the beginning, the Quran was recited by journalist's son Syed Hossain Ayan.
Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Mohammad Yusuf, and newly transferred Health and Family Planning Officer of the Upazila Health Complex Dr. Sajjad Hossain Chowdhury spoke as guests of honor at the rally organized by Syed Abu Zafar Salauddin, Joint Editor of Srimangal Press Club and correspondent of the Daily Jugantor.
Also speaking as guests were Comrade Syed Amiruzzaman, researcher on the Liberation War, special correspondent of Saptahik Notun Katha, editor of RP News and prominent columnist, Kawsar Iqbal, former vice-president of Srimangal Press Club, AFM Abdul Hai Don, acting president of Srimangal Press Club, M. Muslim Chowdhury, office secretary of Srimangal Press Club and Anand Bazar correspondent, Ehsan Bin Mozahir, treasurer of Srimangal Press Club and correspondent of Daily Khola Kagoj, Abuzar Rahman Babla, member of the executive committee of Srimangal Press Club and correspondent of Daily Ameer Somoy, Moulvibazar district correspondent of Daily Kaler Kantha, Md. Saiful Islam, former joint editor of Srimangal Press Club and correspondent of Daily Naya Diganta, M. A. Rakib, Sreemangal correspondent of Daily Inquilab, Anwar Hossain Jasim, Sreemangal correspondent of Daily Jawabdihi, Md. Shamsul Islam Shamim, Daily Sylhet Bani correspondent Mizanur Rahman Alam, former treasurer of Srimangal Press Club and correspondent of Daily Ittefaq newspaper Syed Sayed Ahmed, correspondent of Daily Dinkal newspaper Rubel Ahmed, correspondent of Daily Bhorer Dak newspaper Amjad Hossain Bachchu, correspondent of Notun Din Arvind Deb, journalist Dewan Masukur Rahman, journalist Bappi Dey, correspondent of Rupali Bangladesh newspaper Kawsar Ahmed, current Imran Hossain and NGO activist Ekhlasur Rahman, and media workers from various media outlets.
At the event, hosted by Syed Salahuddin, a correspondent for Dainik Jugantor and joint editor of Srimangal Press Club, the speakers also said that Jugantor has come a long way by publishing investigative and objective news against corruption.
The speakers respectfully remembered the late Nurul Islam Babul, the founding publisher of the Daily Jugantor newspaper, who was the hero of Jugantor's achievement of moving this far.
He said that Jugantar occupies a special place in the minds of readers due to its uncompromising news reporting and distinctive features.
The event concluded with cake cutting and entertaining the guests.
It is worth noting that the daily Jugantar newspaper was established on February 1, 2000.
