Journalism faces multidimensional challenges: BFUJ Sec Gen

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury today said independent journalism has been facing multidimensional challenges.
   
“Despite being a motto of democracy, independent journalism is now exposed to multidimensional challenges,” Chowdhury told a dialogue at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) with assistance of UNESCO's Global Media Defense Fund.
   
He said political, economic, legal and technological challenges emerged as obstacles for journalists to work independently. 
   
But, he said, some laws still existed to debar practice of independent journalism while he identified the factor as the major obstacle for journalists.
   
Chowdhury said the interim government instituted Media Reform Commission chairman Kamal Ahmed too identified 32 black laws in the country that hinder independent journalism. 
   
The dialogue was part of an initiative to outline the establishment of a 'help desk' to improve legal protection system for journalists in the country.
   
Dhaka Tribune Editor Riaz Ahmed moderated the dialogue when chief news editor of Channel I TV Mir Masruruzzaman gave the welcome speech. 
   
BFUJ president Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, Dhaka Union of Journalists’ (DUJ) President Md Shahidul Islam, DRU General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel, Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh General Secretary MM Badsha, Broadcast Journalist Center Member Secretary Ilias Hossain, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association Deputy Director Nighat Seema, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) Director Md Barkat Ali, Ain Seba Advocate Sujoy Chowdhury took part in the discussion.