Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Qader Gani Chowdhury has said a disciplined, responsible press is vital for building a humane society.

Addressing the biannual conference of the Jashore Journalists’ Union on Saturday, he said, “A free, responsible and ethical media is one of the main preconditions for achieving the vision of a humane Bangladesh.”

He stressed that journalism must operate without fear or restriction to defend truth, justice and democracy.

“A journalist’s job is to search for truth and protect it. That’s why journalists must be courageous, principled, and steadfast in the face of adversity,” he said.

Qader Gani emphasised that journalism’s foundation lies in honesty, accuracy and impartiality.

“No report should contain unverified information. Every fact must be checked and rechecked. When in doubt, leave it out,” he reminded.

Citing a Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) survey under the Media Reform Commission, he said 79.46 percent of respondents reported political interference in media, 71.50 percent government pressure and 50.14 percent influence from powerful individuals.

The BFUJ leader criticised journalists and media houses that aligned with the previous government during the July Uprising, saying their loyalty to power led to journalism’s moral decline.

He urged those who sided with state violence to apologise to the public.

Calling for a unified national media policy, Qader Gani noted that Bangladesh has about 50 media-related laws but lacks an effective framework.

“All forms of media should fall under one integrated and balanced policy,” he said.

“If the word ‘public’ disappears from media, it becomes nothing more than propaganda. The Constitution grants journalists the freedom to question power — for the powerless,” Gani said.

Presided over by Jashore Journalists’ Union President Akramuzzaman, the event was addrdsed, among others, by BFUJ Acting President Obaidur Rahman Shahin and BNP Vice-Chair Professor Nargis Begum.