Journalists must take stand in people’s favour: Prof Serajul

Mentioning that there is no term like ‘impartiality or neutrality’ in journalism, Dhaka University Emeritus Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury on Wednesday said journalists must take position in favour of the country’s people.

“Journalists must take a stand while filing a report and at the same time, it’s important to maintain the objectivity,” he said while addressing a discussion at the RC Majumdar Auditorium of Lecture Theatre building on the campus.

Prof Dr Serajul Islam Chowdhury said it is the duty of a journalist to take position in favour of the people and justice. “But journalists of our country can’t do that very often as they’re directed by the owners.”“We don’t need such kind of impartial or neutral journalism, we need objective journalism,” he added.

Expressing concern over the delay in arranging election to Dhaka University Central Student’s Union (Ducsu), Prof Serajul Islam said, “It’s a matter of great sorrow that the university authorities failed to hold the Ducsu election for the past 29 years which is shrinking the cultural and other space of the university day by day.”

Gyantapas Abdur Razzaq Foundation organised the discussion titled ‘The Interplay of Politics and Journalism: 1945-50″ as part of their new lecture series where Dr Sakhawat Ali Khan, honourary Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism department, was also present.

source: UNB