Osman Gani Monsur, editor of People’s View and Secretary General of the Bangladesh chapter of the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA), has voiced concern over the declining practice of truthful reporting in journalism.
“A journalist’s duty is to call white white and black black. If truth is not captured in writing, journalism becomes meaningless,” he said.
He was speaking at a memorial and prayer event for late journalists Md. Mahbub Ul Alam, Bir Muktijoddha Saber Ahmed Asgari, and Bir Muktijoddha Nizam Uddin Ahmed at Chattogram Press Club premises.
While recalling the contributions of the late journalists, he also criticized past attempts by certain groups to monopolize the Press Club for personal interests, calling such actions unacceptable in a civilized society.
Focusing on related historical moments , Mansur said, “Field Marshal Ayub Khan inaugurated the Chattogram Press Club in the 1960s. Former President Ziaur Rahman once visited and told me, ‘Take pictures of work, not food.’ That advice has inspired me throughout my life.”
Speakers at the event highlighted the contributions of the late journalists.
Saber Ahmed Asgari, a freedom fighter, had served as General Secretary of the Chattogram Chhatra League during the 1971 Liberation War and was responsible for drafting the original declaration of independence under the guidance of Shahid President Ziaur Rahman.
Asgari had also written a book on the Liberation War, intended for posthumous publication, and the Press Club expressed readiness to support his family in publishing it.
The memorial began with prayers led by Maulana Jamal Uddin of Shah Anis Jame Mosque.
Mustafa Naeem, Mainuddin Qaderi Shawkat, Shahidul Islam, Shahnewaz Riton, Mahbubul Mowla Ripon, Faruk Munir, Hasan Mukul, Sohag Kumar Biswas, Mahbubur Rahman, Muhammad Azad, Kamrul Huda, and Jahangir Alam also spoke on the occasion. .
