Speakers at a discussion in Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia have said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first person who worked for freedom of speech for journalists in electronic and print media before 1975.
‘‘We know Bangabandhu as a philosopher, but he was also journalist. He played a vital role in founding daily Millat and during his time he passed newspaper declaration ordinance for the journalists’’, the speakers also said. The daylong discussion on ‘Bangabandhu and Mass Media’ was held at Bir Shreshta Hamidur Rahman auditorium of the university on Saturday.
Press Club of the university oganised the discussion to mark the National Mourning Day and 44th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. IU vice chancellor Prof Dr M Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari addressed the event as the chief guest with Ferdausur Rahman Shohag, president of IU Press Club, in the chair.
Prof Dr M Shahinoor Rahman, pro-vice chancellor of the university, Kamal Uddin, controller of Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board, BM Rofel, deputy attorney general, and Alam Hossain Khan, founder secretary of IU Press Club, attended at the event as special guests. Principal Shahjahan Alam Sazu, secretary of Non-Government Teacher and Officers Association Kolyan Trust and the founder president of IU Press Club, delivered speech on the relationship and contribution of Bangabandhu with mass media during the Bangladesh War of Liberation.
IU Press Club secretary Shahdath Hossain Timir delivered the welcome speech, while convener of IU Bangabandhu Parishad Prof Dr M Mahbubur Rahman, IU Shapla Forum president Prof Dr Rezuanul Islam, former Press Club leaders A.K Azad Lavlu, Nowab Ali Khan, Toffazzel Hossain Tota, Mirazul Islam Miraz, Belal Uddin, Kanon Aziz, Salahuddin Bappy and Shoriful Islam Jewel spoke at the programme, among others. Noman Ibn Basher, IU correspondent of Prothom Alo, conducted the programme. Over 1500 teachers, officers and students from various departments and faculties took part at the programme.