FROM PAGE 12

not only tied journalists’ hands but also silenced their voices.”

Akon praised Mahfuz Anam’s honesty and courage for acknowledging that news publishing had at times been influenced by intelligence agencies.

Freedom fighter Nurul Alam Farid said those who attacked The Daily Star while wearing panjabis and prayer caps were people who never accepted Bangladesh’s independence.

He alleged that some politicians and bureaucrats patronise journalists for personal interests.

Farid, also editor of Dainik Biplobi Bangladesh, said yellow journalism had deprived genuine journalists of proper recognition.

Barishal City Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mahmud Hussain Dulal demanded the identification and punishment of those responsible for attacking and setting fire to The Daily Star, while Ebaedul Haque Chan, president of the Barishal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, urged the newspaper to publish more reports on the problems and potential of Barishal division.

Cultural activist Pankaj Roy Choudhury called for initiatives to improve children’s healthcare services and demanded punishment for those responsible for recent child deaths caused by measles.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Md Obaidullah described The Daily Star and Prothom Alo as examples of ethical journalism.

Addressing the guests, The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam said the future of a newspaper ultimately depends on the trust of its readers.

“If people do not believe in us, do not have faith in us, and do not trust our journalism, they will stop reading The Daily Star. And when people stop reading a newspaper, it ceases to exist. Therefore, the greatest credit for our 35-year journey, especially for our revival after such an attack, belongs to our readers.”

He said independent journalism is necessary not only for journalists but also for society, the state, businesses, educational institutions, NGOs, and citizens in general.

“But the most curious thing is that those who need it the most often try to ignore, restrict, or even destroy it -- and that is the government.

“After coming to power, governments need to know how people view their actions and whether they are fulfilling public expectations…. It is not the bureaucracy, intelligence agencies, or ruling party leaders who provide that information. Only independent, honest, and dedicated journalists can do that.”

Democratic governments and independent journalism are deeply interconnected, he said, adding that The Daily Star had held every government accountable.

“When the BNP was in power, we practised what we call ‘speaking truth to power’. If you examine our role from 1991 to 1996, from 1996 to 2001, and up to the present day, we are proud of our role, [even] during the July movement.

“Every day we carried front-page reports on the deaths. We ourselves were shocked to publish headlines reporting 20 deaths, 35 deaths, 40 deaths, and at one point as many as 64 killings in a single day due to police firing.”

The editor also acknowledged that the newspaper had not been able to give Barishal adequate coverage. “We will place greater emphasis on journalism in different parts of the country, especially historically important regions like Barishal. We will highlight your hopes, aspirations, and problems.”

The Barishal event was part of The Daily Star’s divisional-level celebrations marking its 35th anniversary, following similar programmes in Chattogram and Khulna.

Among others who spoke at the event were Barishal district Islami Andolon Bangladesh Ameer Sirajul Islam; Barishal’s Shochetan Nagorak Committee President Tunu Rani Karmakar; Barishal Police Commissioner Md Sharfuddin; Barishal Press Club President Aminul Islam Khasru; Jhalakathi Press Club President Akkas Shikder; Patuakhali Press Club President Md Jakir Hossain; and political leaders from different parties.