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US envoy urges journos only to sway by truth

UNB, Dhaka
US Ambassador Hany K Thomas yesterday urged Bangladeshi journalists to resist the "temptation of self-censorship" saying that open access to honest and frank media is a major factor for keeping democracy vibrant
Journalists should not be swayed by public opinion or governmental pressure, only by the truth. Democracy allows the press to collect and report news without fear or favor, he told a conference of UNB district correspondents at its office.
Presided over by UNB Chairman Amanullah Khan, the conference was addressed by Information Minister M Shamsul Islam as chief guest, Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director Enayetullah Khan, Editor Golam Tahaboor, Executive Editor Roushan Zaman and president of UNB District Correspondents Association Munshi Harun-ar-Rashid.
Praising Bangladeshi journalists for their commitment to reporting the facts despite 'unreasonable obstacles', the US envoy said, "Unfortunately, Bangladeshi journalists often have to work in a perilous environment.
" Far too frequently, journalists are harassed, assaulted and even killed in return of their efforts," he told the audience, including the newsmen from all sixty-four districts of the country.
Reminding that the Bangladeshi journalists have an important role to play, Thomas said, " A free press informs the public, holds leaders accountable, and provides a forum for debate on local and national issues."
"You always keep one finger on the pulse of the government and the society," he told die local journalists. He hoped that the government support the journalists in Bangladesh.
Information Minister M Shamsul Islam in his speech said each case of attacks on journalists is being properly investigated and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
He asserted that the present government believes in the freedom of the press and is committed to protecting rhe interest of the journalists.
The minister, however, reminded the newsmen of their responsibilities, saying that the nation expects fair, responsible and objective reporting of events.
Earlier, the Information Minister and rhe US envoy distributed annual awards among the best reporters, sub-editors and district correspondents for2002-2004.
Mostafa Kamal (2002), Mir Saiful Islam Thshar (2003) and Faruk Quazi (2004) were adjudged best reporters, Ms Lubna Yasmin (2002), Ruhul Motin (2003) and Sajedul Islam Sabuj (2004) best sub-editors and Jahangir Alam Liton (Mymensingh-2002), Bisnu Prosad Chakrabortty (Bagerhat-2003) and Munshi Torikul Islam (Kushtia-2004) best district correspondents.