Speakers at a seminar yesterday underscored the need for immediate formulation of a transparent, strong, complete and flexible communication policy under point of view from country's politics, economics, social structure, cultural values and public opinion in the age of advanced media.

m ASres.sta8 Ui? Professor Nuruddin Memorial Seminar on Communication Policy: Bangladesh Perspective" thev pointed out that a communication policy accelerates national development by integrating communication infrastructure and systems, which also inspire mass participation in communication works. The former students of Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of the university organised seminar as part of the day-long programme. held at the Teachers and Students Centre iTSC), to accord a farewell reception to the Prof. QAIM Nuruddin. a noted educationist and communication expert of the country.

In his speech as chief guest Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, said, Tt is tough to introduce a communication policy for different reasons. We are yet to finalise a pro-people education policy due to the obstructions of fundamentalist and religious fanatics "

( ailing upon pressmen to protect the freedom of press, the minister said. "I will request the prime minister to finalise a communication policy' according to the need at all and place a bill regarding this in the parliament."

In the keynote papers on the topic “Communication Policy: Bangladesh Perspective” Mofljur Rahman and Nadir Junaled, lecturers of the department. observed that “the existing policies are not well-Integrated and strong and allows the government control over the media. It also does not have directions towards development."

"In present scenario of national development, there are lacks of tuned communication policy and national planning and the policymakers also have lack of sufficient knowledge regarding role of media in development works." they noted.

Acting editor of It’tefaq. Rabat Khan proposed formation of a non-government body headed by Prof Nuruddin instead of government bureaucrats to pinnulate a communication policy saying that if bureau-< rats are given the responsibility to formulate the policy to formulate the policy no one can be sure of what will be formed.

Chief editor and managing director of BSS Harun Habib said the absence of communication policy has always influenced state mechanism and as a result the distorted history of liberation war was communicated through the media lor last 21 years after independence.

"if we do not adopt a com-munkation policy right now we will be deprived of the benefits of Information revolution and we would not be able to protect our own cultural heritage." he added.

At the beginning of the seminar Prof Nuruddin told the audience about his life and career. He said, I have been in a learning process during my teaching profession. When I was student. I learned, when I became a teacher I learned and now I am learning and the process will continue till the last moment of my life."

Presided over by convenor of Professor Nuruddin Reception Committee Dr. Golam Rahman, the prograriime was also addressed. among others, by Pro-Vice Chancellor of Prof. Sha-hadal All.