Cartoon an effective tool to raise awareness about corruption

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) launched a book titled 'Cartoon Against Corruption' at the National Press Club in the city yesterday. From left are Sharier Khan, Shishir Bhattacharya, Rafiqun Nabi, Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, Ahsan Habib, Dr Iftekharuzzaman and Asiful Huda.Photo: STAR

Renowned cartoonists yesterday said the content of cartoons, which are published in daily newspapers, should be authentic so that the people are not misled.
Cartoon can be used as an effective tool to raise awareness about corruption, they said at a publication ceremony of a book titled 'Cartoon Against Corruption' at the National Press Club. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) published the book.
"The content of cartoons, drawn especially for newspapers, should be authentic. Cartoonists should be more conscious of the theme of their cartoons. People might be misled if the cartoon is not based on fact," said cartoonist Shishir Bhattacharya.
"Cartoon is not only a picture. There are a lot of messages in the cartoon," he said.
He also said that popular cartoons should be published in different newspapers through news agency.
Artist Rafiqun Nabi said any restrictions on the publication of cartoons should be withdrawn as cartoon does not directly cause harm to anybody, but it can point out irregularities in society.
Sharier Khan, cartoonist and city editor of The Daily Star, said reporters sometimes cannot publish their reports on corruption due to lack of proper documents, but a cartoonist can disseminate the same message through cartoons against corruption.
Cartoon has now become a popular medium and it can play a vital role in the fight against corruption as even illiterate people can get the message from a cartoon, he said.
Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, cartoonists Ahsan Habib, Bipul Shah, Asiful Huda, Manik and Ratan also spoke at the programme.