Objective journalism to bring positive changes stressed

Eminent citizens and editors of different national dailies yesterday stressed the need for maintaining maximum impartiality and objectivity to take the level of journalism to new heights for bringing a positive change in the society.

They said modesty, honesty and cautiousness are the prime prerequisite for objective journalism. On the other, arrogance, dishonesty or callousness are harmful not only for one's journalism career but also for the society, they added.

They made the remark at the closing session of a 10-day training for the journalists of upcoming private TV channel, Ekattor, at the city's Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban auditorium.

Noted litterateur Selina Hossain urged the young journalists to play a significant role in bringing political, economical and social stability through their work.

"Your (journalists) reports should be prepared on the basis of correct information and truth," she said.

She also criticised a few TV and FM radio channels for using "unnecessary" English words and programme titles.

The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam said relationship between journalists and media owners should be kept transparent.

The objective journalism can be ensured if journalists get environment of working independently, he said.

Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman emphasised proper selection of words, sentences and language for development of journalism.

Journalist Abed Khan, also editor of the upcoming Dainik Jagoron, said the main responsibility of a journalist is to present the event instead of making judgement.

Talking about commercialisation of journalism, he said, "Now corporate business companies are opening print and electronic media to secure their business purpose only."

The News Today Editor Reazuddin Ahmed said the main challenge of electronic media is to serve the news within a few minutes after happening any incident. So, journalists of electronic media should be more careful.

Ekattor Managing Director and Chief Editor Mozammel Babu and Chief Executive Officer Samia Zaman also spoke at the function.

Two internationally renowned journalists Richard Goslan and Bob Powel conducted the training sessions.

Source : 

Faulty seats of Palki being replaced

The economy-class seats of Palki, Biman's new Boeing 777-300ER that began commercial operation last month, are being replaced as their armrests started falling apart.

US company Weber had supplied the seats of the aircraft. It is now replacing the armrests in the economy class at its own cost during flight breaks at Shahjalal International Airport. The replacement will take a few more days.

Biman authorities said faulty design of the seats is causing the trouble. Sources said around 50 out of 384 seats in the economy class got broken. The seats in the business class are, however, in good shape. 

Air Commodore (retd) Mohammad Zakiul Islam, managing director of Bangladesh Biman, told The Daily Star last week that the seats were procured following a meeting of Biman, Boeing and Weber.

Asked if the US company was selected arbitrarily to save money, he said, "There was no scope for buying the seats from a company which is not approved by Boeing." 

Meanwhile, some more complaints have also surfaced regarding the remote controls of movie screens and the galley of the $ 152 million aircraft. The Biman MD, however, refuted the complaints.

ARUN ALO

The other new Boeing 777-300ER named Arun Alo commenced its commercial flight on Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur course on December 5, almost 10 days after it had arrived in Shah Jalal airport. 

Biman had to suffer a huge loss due to this wait as it could not get the go-ahead from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh. This is because Biman could not obtain the custom clearance certificate for its failure to pay the Tk 80 lakh duty.

Officials said the state-owned airlines needs to pay Tk 20 crore as instalment every month to repay the bank loan for Arun Alo.

Souce :