AL lawmaker slams journos

Iqbalur Rahim

Iqbalur Rahim, the lawmaker of Dinajpur-3 constituency, has drawn fierce criticism from the journalist community of Dinajpur after he called three journalists “bastards,” a local daily reported yesterday.
In April, the three journalists sent reports to three national dailies on alleged corruption, involving the lawmaker, in Dinajpur Medical College and Hospital.
Speaking at a Dinajpur Press Club meeting on Friday, the ruling party MP alleged the three local journalists had turned against him over “unfounded” charges of corruption.
Warning against yellow journalism, he asked journalists to stop publishing news “based on lies,” according to local daily Ajker Protiva. Several online newspapers reported the same.
Speaking as the chief guest, he said during his four-and-a-half-year tenure he had spent Tk 800 crore for development in his constituency, but newsmen never reported this.
Chitto Ghosh, president of Dinajpur press club, presided over the meeting, attended by the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, and press club executives.  The programme was arranged to distribute cheques to distressed journalists.
The journalists present at the programme protested the lawmaker's comments and urged him not to make such derogatory remarks in future.
Contacted, Rahim denied making the comments. “I am innocent and reports published against me are aimed at tarnishing my image,” he said. “This is yellow journalism.”
Talking to The Daily Star, Chitto Ghosh said, “Let me see the newspaper [Ajker Protiva] report first.”
Wahidul Alam, president of Dinajpur Union of Journalists, said, “The lawmaker's comments have hurt the entire journalist community of Dinajpur.”