Intellectual and financial self-reliance are required for press freedom: Shafik Rehman

Veteran journalist Shafik Rehman has said that intellectual self-reliance and financial self-sufficiency are required to establish freedom of press. Journalism is not just a job; it’s a moral responsibility, Shafik Rehman further said.

Shafik Rehman addressed a convention organized by Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) in the capital’s Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) at Khamarbari on Saturday morning (17 January 2026). The conference was aimed at protesting over attacks on freedom of expressions and assaulting newspaper offices in recent times. Speakers at the convention urged everyone to unite to enable journalists to work independently without fears or favours.

Shafik Rehman called upon media professionals to acquire knowledge on pedagogy, research, economy, geopolitics etcetera.

He also urged journalists to work upholding ethical values and to stand their ground instead of becoming any particular platform’s agents. Shafik Rehman regretted that journalism has not yet become a dignified profession in Bangladesh. He proposed to the authorities concerned to launch a standard committee for determining policies and qualitative dimensions of editorial work and reporting dexterity.

Shafik Rehman recalled his own professional life too. He said that he had to leave Bangladesh during 1974 due to the political situation in the country back then. He worked for media outlets in London for nearly 29 years and during those years he came in touch with prominent globally acclaimed media legends.

Shafik Rehman voiced worries about the monetary policy and financial systems in Bangladesh which are being addressed erroneously for the most part, he added. Wrong decisions have over and over again plunged the banking sector of Bangladesh into crisis and woes, Shafik Rehman stated.