Frame law to bar non-journo from becoming editor: BFUJ

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and its 10 affiliated unions yesterday demanded formulation of law to bar appointment of any person having less than 15 years of experience in journalism as an editor of a daily or the chief of any media.
In a joint statement, leaders of the unions also demanded that the government announce a national press and media policy to ensure freedom of the mass media and stop abuse of the press freedom.
The leaders said many owners, who are not professional journalists, are becoming editors of newspapers and many of them using the media and professional journalists, and abusing the editorial institution for political gains or business interests.
The present crisis of the daily Amar Desh proves the logic behind the demand of the journalists, they said.
The leaders also expressed concern that Mahmudur Rahman, though not a professional journalist, became the acting editor and used the Amar Desh and its journalists in his political and personal interest, violating the ethics of journalism and mass media.
Referring to the livelihood of Amar Desh journalists, they urged the prime minister to consider the issue sympathetically and take steps accordingly.
Signatories to the statement are BFUJ President Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and Secretary General Altaf Mahmud, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Shah Alamgir and General Secretary Abu Zafar Surjya, Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) President Shahidul Alam and General Secretary Nazim Uddin Shyamol, Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) President Sheikh Abu Hasan and General Secretary Mozammel Haq Hawlader, Jessore Union of Journalists (JUJ) President Aminur Rahman Mamun and General Secretary HR Tuhin, Bogra Union of Journalists (BUJ) President Pradip Bhattacharya Shankar and General Secretary Mahmudul Alam Nayon, Rajshahi Union of Journalists (RUJ) President Akbarul Hasan Millat and General Secretary Shibli Noman, Dinajpur Union of Journalist (DJU) President Wahidul Alam and General Secretary Emdadul Haq, Mymensingh Union of Journalists (MUJ) President Kazi Yasin and General Secretary Ataul Karim Khokan, Narayanganj Union of Journalists (NUJ) President Hasanuzzaman Shamim and General Secretary Sharif Uddin Sabuj and Cox's Bazar Union of Journalists (CBUJ) President Abu Taher and General Secretary Abdul Quddus Rana.