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South Asian journalists' confce opens

Press enjoys full freedom: Khaleda
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has said the press in Bangladesh now enjoys hundred per cent freedom.
She was speaking at the inaugural function of the Second South Asian Conference of Working Journalists at Sonargaon Hotel tn Dhaka Saturday, reports BSS.
Begum Zia said that all black laws enacted by the autocratic regimes had already been replaced and all hindrances and barriers In the way of freedom of the press had been removed.
She said there were about 1200 newspapers and periodi-
cals In the country which was an all time record.
Begum Zia said papers were also published even from the remotest corners of the country.
The Prime Minister urged the journalists of South Asia to help promote peop)e-to-peo pie contact in the countries of the region for making SAARC a meaningful regional forum.
She expressed the hope that the three-day conference would "explore the posstbili ties of institutional framework for free flow of information In the region attaching priority to regional development and fre-
quent exchange of journalists.'
■Peopte-to people rapport comprises the fundamental philosophy of success of any meaningful regional coopera tion worth the name Free flow of Information is a prerequl site for this kind of linkage and journalists can play a predominant role for its efficacy," she said.
Begum Zia said that SAARC had generated new momentum and optimism in our collective effort for a breakthrough in our development effort*. "Journalist* from this region can expedite this proces* of growth," she added
Hosted by Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ). the inaugural function was also addressed by Information Minister Nazmul Huda, president and secretary general of BFUJ Reazuddtn Ahmed and Amanullah Kabir. Aidan White, general secretary of International Federation of Journalists (1FJ). Dietmar Kneltachel of Friedrich Ebert Foundation of Germany. Gias Kamal Chowdhury. K N Gupta and Rajendra Prabhu of India. Nissar Ahmed Osmanl of Pakistan and B S H Jayawardcna of Sri Lanka.
The conference aims at strengthening cooperation among the Journalists organ! satlons of the region for greater freedom of press, edl to rial independence within
newspaper organisations and ensuring safety and better working conditions for journal ists.
The conference Is being attended by journalists from India. Pakistan. Sri Lanka. Nepal and host country Bangladesh
The Prime Minister paid tributes to the Journalist community saying "as a conscious segment of society and as seekers of truth they have set laudable examples of rising to the occasion at the hours of the nation s need."
She said the journalists in Bangladesh as the vanguards of Language Movement and slan dard-bearers of glorious War of Independence had never compromised with autocracy, falsehood and Injustice.
Describing freedom of the press as the best safeguard of democracy, she said. "Our avowed policy Is to help bloom hundred flowers and blossom a hundred schools of thought."
Terming newspapers as the mirrors of society. Begum Zia said journalists could justifiably be termed as social engineers She said development of mass media had turned the world into a global village.
Nazmul Huda expressed the hope that the three-day con ference would further promote the cause of the journalists of the region and formulate a policy to help exchange ideas and experiences for the benefit of the people of the region.
White said that the IFJ con firmed 84 killings of journalists last year, which is the highest death toll on record. Besides, the Journalists were regularly victimised, harassed and attacked and sometimes brutally murdered, he pointed ouL
K N Gupta stressed the need for holding a meeting of Information Ministers of the South Asian region to solve problems being faced by the journalists.
Gias Kamal Chowdhury said the Journalists of Bangladesh were committed to the betterment of the people.
Reazuddtn Ahmed said the conference of the representa tlves of the working journalists of South Aslan countries would give an opportunity to exchange views regarding their challenging profession and devising ways and means to face the new challenges tn upholding the freedom of the press.
Ministers, members of par ■lament, diplomats, political leaders and editors of national dallies and news agencies were also present on the occasion.