Raise voice against 'information terrorism': PM

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday called on the journalists to stand against 'information terrorism' unleashed under a planned campaign to put Bangladesh and Bangladeshis in trouble.

"One can be against the ruling party, but it is not acceptable that anyone's statement should damage interests of the people and the country," she said.

Her comments came apparently against the backdrop of recent developments like immigration restrictions announced by the United States.

The prime minister brought to notice of the journalists certain statements by some quarters that put the country into problem and Bangladeshis living abroad into crisis.

She asked the journalists to project the correct image of the country at home and abroad through their writings.

The prime minister was talking to the newly elected office-bearers of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) when they led by its president Elahi Newaz Khan called on her at the Prime Minister's office. The delegation members included general secretary Abdus Shahid and other executive members.

President of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Gias Kamal Chowdhury and secretary general Monjurul Alam accompanied the DUJ leaders.

Information Minister Tariqul Islam and Prime Minister's political secretaries Harris Chowdhury and Mosaddek Ali were also present.

Praising the role of the government in the anti-crime campaign by the joint forces, the journalists recalled that at least ten newsmen were killed during the previous Awami League regime.

They also reminded that many were injured and a large number of others fell victims to oppression during the Awami League rule.

The delegation members also raised a number of problems facing the journalist community.

The DUJ leaders recalled the measures taken by late President Ziaur Rahman for alleviating housing problem of the journalists, which was similarly followed up by the BNP government during the 1991-96 term.

They hoped that the present BNP-led coalition government would also take effective measures to remove acute housing problem of the journalists and to set up a journalist welfare fund.

The leaders hoped that the government would also take sincere efforts to ensure the implementation of the wage board awards.

The prime minister assured them of resolving these problems in consultation with the officials concerned.