President Shahabuddin Ahmed has said a free press is indispensable for building a democratic polity and it should, therefore, act in a responsible manner always keeping in mind the national interest.

The President was speaking as chief guest at the presents tion ceremony of the Abdus Salam International Award for Journalism. 1997. held at the Osmany Memorial Auditorium in the city yesterday. Celebrated journalist from India. Kuldip Nayar received the award.

Shahabuddin recalled late Abdus Salam's contribution in the field of Journalism and said he was a person of the highest integrity, courage and conviction and was dedicated to his profession, never forgetting his duty to the country and humanity at large.

Focusing on Salam's career, the President said he had joined the Editorial Board of the Pakistan Observer, now Bangladesh Observer, in 1949 and became its editor in the following year and continued in the post for 22 years

The newspaper was banned by the government on February 12. 1952 and the Editor. Abdus Salam, was arrested for his total opposition to the government s views on the state language issue. Shahabuddin said.

"After the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country", the President continued, "he wrote an editorial. The Supreme Test', in his paper on March 15. 1972. The spirit of the writing was not properly appreciated by the authorities and consequently. Salam left

the paper and began contributing in other papers."

The President said the press in Bangladesh was given full freedom by the interim government just before the general elections of February 27. 1991. The press wields enormous influence today. It is also held in high esteem in a democratic society." he said.

Kuldip Nayar, in his speech said the Award was the most Precious one’ he had ever received.

Nayar said freedom of the press had to be sustained and maintained by the journalists ‘hemselves, "ff they look upon ‘^government to do something in this regard, they would be disappointed." he said adding there is no doubt that the press is free in Bangladesh."