The day's programmes included discussion meetings and colourful processions highlighting the role of media.

Speakers at the discussion meetings said the media can play a vital role in consolidating democracy, ensuring transparency, which can lead the country towards development.

Lack of security is now a great obstacle to media men in performing their duty, they said.

In Satkhira, the day was observed with a slogan: We will know, we will live.

The district unit of Mass-line Media Centre (MMC), an NGO, organised a discussion meeting at Zilla Parishad auditorium with journalist Prof. Abu Ahmed (The Daily Star) in the chair.

Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Md. Gaus was chief guest, our correspondent reported.

The speakers said democracy and people's participation in development can not be ensured without a free media.

They urged the government to repeal all black laws and ensure trial of murders of journalists.

So many journalists were killed in Bangladesh for reports against corruption but the killers have not been punished.

Our Patuakhali Correspondent reports: World Press Freedom Day was observed here yesterday through various programmes, organised jointly by the local press club and Mass-line Media Centre (MMC).

Cross-sections of people joined journalists in a colorful procession brought out from the press club premises.

It was followed by a discussion meeting, held at the auditorium of Family Planning Association with press club president Golam Mostafa Talukder in the chair.

Patuakhali Deputy Commi-ssioner Rafiqul Islam was chief guest and Police Superintendent Shafiqul Islam was special guest at the meeting.

Our Gaibandha Correspondent reports: Speakers at a seminar marking World Press Freedom Day here yesterday urged the government to repeal all 'black laws' to ensure press freedom in the country.

The media in Bangladesh is now virtually controlled by 21 'black laws' like Special Powers Act, Penal Code, Press and Publication Act, Official Secrecy Act and Contempt of Court law.

Besides insecurity, media men are to work keeping the laws in mind, which shatters press freedom, they said. These laws should be either scrapped or suitably amended to allow press freedom as in developed countries, they said.

In last 15 years, at least 20 journalists were killed by terrorists, smuggling syndicates and extremists backed by political leaders.

The seminar, held at Gaibandha Press Club, was presided over by Abu Zafar Sabu, Secretary Gaibandha Press Club. Deputy Commissioner Mujibur Rahman was the chief guest.

Juvenile journalist Jafreen Akhter Sumi of Shisu Prokash presented a paper in the seminar.

Later a procession was brought out in the town.

The programmes were organised by Mass-line Media Centre (MMC) and Manusher Jonno, two NGOs.