Published: 01:35 AM, 30 June 2026
'Bangladesh suffers critically low objective journalism'
Bangladesh is currently experiencing a crisis of objective journalism, said Kader Gani Chowdhury, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ).
Emphasizing the importance of impartial reporting, he said journalism must be based entirely on truth. "There is no room for falsehood or half-truths in journalism, nor is there any scope for compromise," he remarked.
He made these comments at a seminar held on Monday (29 June 2026) at the boardroom of the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust on Circuit House Road in the capital.
The seminar, titled "Media Freedom, Preventing Aggression, and an Accountability-Based Framework," was organized by the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust. Referring to unethical journalism, Kader Gani Chowdhury said that so-called "bag editors"-individuals who print newspapers and carry copies under their arms while visiting government offices, including the Secretariat, to engage in influence-peddling and lobbying-have become a serious concern. According to him, such practices, along with yellow journalism, have caused widespread public frustration.
He further stated that journalism is not about publishing whatever one wishes. "Journalists must write the truth, and the state should ensure their security. Journalists must possess integrity and conscience. People have nothing but contempt for subservient journalists," he added.
The BFUJ Secretary General also alleged that Indian media outlets have been continuously spreading false propaganda against Bangladesh. "We are facing media aggression from our neighbouring country. In 2025 alone, Indian media published 140 false reports about Bangladesh. They are attempting to incite unrest and communal violence in the country," he claimed.
In his presidential address, Mohammad Bashir Jamal, Managing Director of the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust, said that an independent media is indispensable for building a democratic, accountable, and development-oriented state.
He emphasized that a strong, responsible, and people-oriented media system in Bangladesh can only be established through an environment free from political and economic pressure, ensuring the safety of journalists, combating misinformation, and strengthening institutional accountability.
The seminar was moderated by ABM Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Director (Administration and Finance) of the Bangladesh Journalists' Welfare Trust. Among others, Erfanul Haque Nahid, Organizing Secretary of the BFUJ, also addressed the event.
>> Saiful Alam, AA
