Press freedom crucial to a democratic society

Speakers at a dialogue have described the freedom of press as the fundamental to any democratic system.

They called for strengthening the mechanisms to protect journalists from online abuse, provide for greater legal safeguards, and ensure improvement in digital security.

Journalists, civil society representatives, and academics took part in the dialogue titled “Journalism, Gender and Environment: Free Media for a Sustainable Future”, which was held at CIRDAP in the capital recently.

Speakers underscored the importance of fostering an enabling environment for female journalists and reiterated the responsibility of the media in verifying facts before publication, says a press release.

Morium Nesa, Lead for Women Rights and Gender Equity at ActionAid Bangladesh, moderated the dialogue opened with a welcome address by Mousumi Biswas, Project Manager of SHUSHIL.

The event was organised by Beatnik, in collaboration with ActionAid Bangladesh and with co-funding support from the European Union, to mark the World Press Freedom Day, which falls on May 3.

The dialogue topics included the intersections between journalism, gender equality, and environmental concerns; the spread of misinformation; the vital role of fact-checking; and the need for robust digital safety for media professionals.

The discussants included Dhaka University Professor Dr Robaet Ferdous, Jamuna Television Chief Editor Touhidul Islam, Daily Kaler Kantho Senior Reporter Nikhil Chandro Vadro, BRAC University Assistant Professor Dr Upal Aditya Oikya, Daily Ittefaq’s Rabiya Beby, Channel 24’s Shamima Sultana, and Dhaka Tribune’s Shamima Rita.