Be objective to reach truth

Journalists, while performing their professional duties, must be objective to reach the truth, said Jai Jai Din Editor Shafik Rehman at a training programme in the city yesterday.

He said they must consider facts as sacred and be free from bias and prejudice while telling the truth.

The four-day training pro-gramme on Human Rights Reporting was jointly organised by the British High Commission and Democracywatch at the latter's premises.

Shafik Rehman said the media persons must protect the right to privacy

while gathering information.

They are to protect the image and security of the victims of human rights violation, he added.

Shafik Rehman said media organisations too have to maintain balance and objectivity while catering the news.

They should carefully consider the sensitivity of all kinds of readers before running stories and pictures,z he said.

Taleya Rehman, executive director of Democracywatch, said risk is an integral part of journalism profession and the journalists have to acquire skills to cope with this challenge.

The topics to be covered during the training include universal declaration of human rights and Bangladesh constitution, journalism and terrorism, good taste and decency, investigative journalism, accuracy and impartiality.