Mostafa Kamal Majumder, editor of GreenWatch Dhaka, released his new book, "Thorny Path of Journalism," on Monday with the unveiling of its cover at the National Press Club's Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall.

Ma Sera Prokashon is the publisher of the book.

The cover of the book was unveiled by Prof Asif Nazrul of Dhaka University, eminent business leader Abdul Haque, daily Naya Diganta editor Alamgir Mohiuddin, journalist community leader Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul, Mostafa Kamal Majumder, publisher Masuda Dewan, and ex-president of the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity Rafiqul Islam Azad.

A brief evaluation of the book by Prof Dr Sakhawat Ali Khan a supernumerary professor at Dhaka University, was read out by Farzana Afroze Zerin, managing editor of GreenWatch Dhaka. Poet and journalist Rafiq Hassan and senior journalists Aini Elias and Rafiqul Alam took part in the discussion.

This is the third book by Mostafa Kamal Majumder. His other books are Political Intolerance (2003), Dumping of Toxic Wastes in Bangladesh (1989). He is the joint author of more than a dozen research-based books.

Speakers at the function spoke highly of the book, which contains the writer’s narratives on 30 different topics, including his landmark journalistic works that have spanned 50 years, covering environmental and development issues on a wide variety of subjects.

Prof Asif Nazrul termed the book a very important document that has depicted the state of journalism in Bangladesh since the seventies of the last century.

He posed a question as to whether the writer could dwell on the situation prevailing in the country now. The book contains narratives that would train readers on different aspects of journalism, he added.

Abdul Haque hailed the publication of the book at a time when the people find it difficult to differentiate between genuine news and fake news while human rights and democracy were in dire straits.

The country has been colonized by a section of its own people who plunder resources and build fortunes overseas. "The role of journalism is significant in this context. All of us should realise that the people cannot be defeated," he said.

Alamgir Mohiuddin narrated the journalistic background of the writer and the unsatisfactory state of journalism in Bangladesh today.

Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul termed the book containing the narratives of a professional journalist on important events of the past 50 years. These are important references that would be useful to researchers, he added.