FROM PAGE 12
Politicians, academics, writers, journalists, businesspeople, professionals, teachers, students, and civil society members attended the event. Many condemned the attacks on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo offices in Dhaka.
Addressing the event, Rajshahi-5 MP Nazrul Islam Mondol said newspapers are the “mirrors of society”. He congratulated The Daily Star for 35 years of fearless journalism and said the newspaper should criticise the government when necessary and also report on its good work.
Rajshahi Bar Association President Md Abul Kashem said The Daily Star represents the country’s conscious citizens and cannot be silenced through attacks. “If Bangladesh is to be protected, journalism must be elevated to a higher level.”
Recalling the anti‑martial law movement of 1962, he noted that those who seek to uphold truth and defend democracy must be prepared to face repression.
Freedom fighter Ershad Ali Isha, also administrator of Rajshahi Zila Parishad, praised The Daily Star for publishing news fearlessly and objectively for 35 years and expressed hope that the paper would continue guiding the state and society through truthful journalism.
Rajshahi College Principal Ibrahim Ali said The Daily Star had often faced pressure from governments because of its courageous journalism and commitment to publishing the truth.
“Since our student days, we have seen The Daily Star remain under government displeasure. This is surely because of The Daily Star’s courage in publishing the truth.”
He said such courage had increased the newspaper’s acceptability among readers and hoped The Daily Star would continue to support independent journalism in rebuilding the state and democracy.
Rajshahi City Jamaat‑e‑Islami secretary Emaj Uddin Mondal said many media outlets had failed in the past to present truth as truth. “The media must have the courage to call white ‘white’ and black ‘black’ if Bangladesh is to become a healthy and prosperous state.”
Referring to recent debates on social media, he warned that fascism can grow through headlines, camera frames and controlled words when the media abandons its duty to tell the truth.
Emeritus Professor of Rajshahi University Azaharul Islam said responsible media must remain conscious about credibility, while Rajshahi Women Chamber of Commerce President Rejiti Naznin lauded The Daily Star’s role in promoting women’s entrepreneurship.
In his address, The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam described journalists as “social doctors”, saying their duty is to diagnose what is wrong in society rather than offer praise.
“People go to doctors not to hear compliments but to know what is wrong with their body. Journalists have a similar responsibility to identify society’s problems.”
He noted that a newspaper’s future, stability and strength depend on readers’ patronage and urged political leaders, administrators, academics, civil society members and readers to advise the paper so it can better understand whether it enriches public consciousness, patriotism and humanity.
The editor mentioned The Daily Star has adopted a new policy to engage more closely with people outside Dhaka through meetings with businesspeople, women’s rights activists, political parties, students and other groups to learn about public expectations.
Among others, Deputy Inspector General of Rajshahi Range Police Mohammad Shahjahan; Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Mohammad Fayezul Kabir; Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ziauddin Ahmed; and senior journalist Mostafizur Rahman Khan spoke at the event.