Reports on torture against journalists should be published in newspapers along with "the reason behind the torture", Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said yesterday.

"It is not possible for readers to get the whole picture if a newspaper does not mention

the reason behind the torture in its report," Matia said at the national council of Bangladesh Sangbadik Samity at the Jatiya Press Club.

"Physical torture is not expected in any situation. We condemned such acts. But there should be a scope for legal actions against those who write false reports," the minister said while speaking as the chief guest.

She hoped that no journalist becomes victim of torture in 2010.

Journalism must not be used for personal gain as it would do injustice to both the profession and the newspaper, the agriculture minister said.

"We hope that the Bangladesh Sangbadik Samity will expand its scope of work and talk about the pain and sufferings of rural people,” she said.

Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, former president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, said many newspapers are being launched but the quality of journalism and the living standards of journalists have not improved.

Dhaka Union of Journalists President Shah Alamgir said, "We remain divided because of political reasons but it should not be like this."

General Secretary of Dhaka Reporters' Unity Pathik Saha said journalists must work for the welfare of the nation without being biased to any vested interest.

Sangbadik Samity President Jalal Uddin Ahmed presided over the council attended by about 540 councillors from districts and upazilas.

BFUJ President Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and Secretary General Altaf Mahmud, and Sangbadik Samity General Secretary Maniruzzaman Chowdhury were present.