Shafik Rehman Prez, Mahmudur Gen Secy

Dainik Jaijaidin Editor Shafik Rehman was elected National Editors’ Council’s (NEC) president and Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman general secretary for its interim period. 

The new committee was elected in the first general meeting of the NEC held at a hotel in the capital on Monday, with editors of 29 daily newspapers from Dhaka and different parts of the country in attendance.

The participating editors approved the constitution presented by the NEC, with several amendments.

Daily Wada Editor Shafiqul Alam was elected treasurer in the new NEC committee.

Presided over by Shafik Rehman, the meeting featured discussions on press freedom, professional standards and the future of journalism in Bangladesh.

Mahmudur Rahman said the NEC should be expanded to bring more editors and journalists into closer communication and cooperation. “We want to make the National Editors’ Council more inclusive. Communication among journalists should be strengthened so that editors can remain united in protecting independent journalism,” he said.

He also called for self-reflection within the media industry over the past 17 years, alleging that a section of editors had contributed to the establishment of authoritarian rule through political favouritism and sycophancy.

Jugantor Editor Abdul Hai Shikder described the past 17 years as a “dark chapter” for journalism and urged the media to focus on asking questions rather than offering praise.

Referring to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as a pioneer of people-oriented journalism, he proposed introducing a Kazi Nazrul Islam Award for contributions to journalism. The meeting subsequently approved the proposal, deciding to confer the award annually.

Peoples View Editor Osman Gani Mansur said journalism had been politicised and corrupted through various inducements, while Wada Editor Shafiqul Alam said a platform representing editors across Bangladesh was essential in the post-uprising period.

In his closing remarks, NEC President Shafik Rehman said journalists have an important role in maintaining peace and stability and called for unity among editors to help advance the country democratically.

Other editors who participated in the meeting included Salah Uddin Muhammad Babar of Naya Diganta, Maruf Kamal Khan of Protidiner Bangladesh, Mokarram Hossain of The New Nation, Loton Ekram of Bangladesh Pratidin, Shahidul Islam of Manabkantha, Sheikh Nazrul Islam of Khobor Sangjog, Syed Mezbah Uddin of Bangladesher Khabar, K M Belayet Hossain of Bhorer Dak, Obaidur Rahman Shaheen of Janata, Sadrul Hasan of The Bangladesh Post, Sayem Faruqi of Rupali Bangladesh, Shamsul Haque Durrani of Nawroz, Afsar Uddin Chowdhury of Karnaphuli, and Shantunu Islam of Daily Lok Samaj.