'The path to journalism has never been smooth'

The path of journalism has never been smooth. The government has always used the law to silence the voice of the media. That is why journalists have had to protest against repressive laws at various times. The journalists said this in response to the proposed enactment of the Cyber ​​Security Act in Bangladesh.

On the other hand, arguments in support of the law have been made that the Cyber ​​Security Act is needed to prevent misinformation. However, it must be ensured that this law is not misused.

The journalists expressed such opinions at a discussion organized by the New York Bangladesh Press Club in Jackson Heights, New York, on Tuesday night, among journalists from Bangladesh who came to cover the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and journalists working in New York.

The main speaker at the Adda Restaurant hall room was Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha-BSS MD Kader Gani Chowdhury. Sheikh Sirajul Islam, former secretary of New York-Bangladesh Press Club, delivered the welcome speech.

pressclubAmong the journalists and activists living in New York in the chat were veteran journalist Monjur Ahmed, President of the New York Bangladesh Press Club, Dr. A large number of journalists from Bangladesh, including Wazed A Khan, Anwar Hossain Manju, Taser Mahmud, Ibrahim Chowdhury Khokon, Attorney Moin Chowdhury, Fakhrul Alam, Farid Alam, Sultana Rahman, Tofazzal Liton, Mahtir Farooqui, senior journalist Keramat Ullah Biplob, NTV special correspondent Hasan Mahmud, Dhaka Mail special correspondent Borhan Uddin, Jamuna TV chief reporter Saifuddin Robin, RTV senior reporter Maidur Rahman Rubel, Kalbela chief reporter Shafiqul Islam, ATN Bangla chief reporter Moinul Ahsan, 71 TV senior reporter Shafiqul Haque, Now TV staff reporter Sabbir Rose, Star News staff reporter Sifat Shahriar, Channel 24 senior reporter Shahnewaz Bablu, and more than a hundred journalists joined the event.

BSS MD Quader Gani Chowdhury said, "For the past 17 years, our media has not been able to present the truth. It has not called white as white and black as black, or it could not. As a result, the fascist regime has lasted for a long time. If journalists had been able to fulfill their duties properly, fascism would not have been able to prevail like this."

newsHe said, the path of journalism has never been smooth. But now, you can speak more than ever before. Again, this opportunity is being used to spread misinformation and disinformation. Using AI, obscenities and misinformation about women are being spread. Yellow journalism and misinformation are being spread by taking to the field with a mobile phone in the name of journalists. A Cyber ​​Security Act is needed to control this situation. However, this law cannot be used arbitrarily to silence the media or suppress journalists.

Veteran journalist Taser Mahmud said, "We have demanded the repeal of all old laws in the past. The Cyber ​​Security Act is also a regressive law."