OUR CORRESPONDENT, Bagerhat

The Daily Star celebrated its 35th anniversary in Khulna yesterday, with speakers calling for the protection of media freedom and prioritisation of national interests over partisan politics.

At the event, held at Khulna Press Club’s Liaquat Ali Auditorium, speakers also condemned the attack on The Daily Star office in Dhaka on December 18 last year.

Azizul Bari Helal, ruling BNP lawmaker from Khulna-4, called for respect for press freedom, stressing that individuals should not be targeted for drawing and publishing political cartoons.

He said The Daily Star had practised journalism “keeping its head high” and should continue to do so.

“The BNP believes in the freedom of press. We condemn the attack on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo. If the media creates a narrative, you can create a counter-narrative. Why would you attack a newspaper’s office?” he said.

Sk Zahangir Hossain, Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker from Khulna-2, emphasised the necessity of factual reporting, noting that the public always seeks objective news.

Prof Anwarul Kadir, director of forest conservation organisation the Sundarbans Academy, said those who He

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