Speakers, at a discussion on Thursday, said that priority should be given to the freedom of press and expression to face the challenges of natural disasters and climate crisis.
They also said that there was no alternative to the freedom of press to ensure democracy in the country.
They came up with the remarks at a panel discussion at TIB office in Dhaka鈥檚 Dhanmondi area, organised jointly by the UNESCO Dhaka office and regional office in New Delhi and Transparency International Bangladesh, and ARTICLE 19, marking the World Press Freedom Day 2024, said a press release.
Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB, said that there were 23 incidents of attacks on the media, took place from 2022 to 2023, while covering environmental issues, leaving 43 journalists injured.
At least 12 people were killed for protesting against coal-based plants between 2016 and 2021, he added.
Those, who were legally responsible for protecting the environment, lead the destruction of the environment, Iftekharuzzaman said.
鈥業t is imperative to create an environment where journalists and civil society organisations can play active roles, but in reality, such space is being shrunk by the use of repressive acts, like the Digital Security Act,鈥� he continued.
鈥楾he government鈥檚 responsible people will have to respect the commitment to freedom of press and expression as the journalists and green activists do not become hostage due to the practice of shooting the messenger,鈥� he added.
Alexandra Berg von Linde, Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh, said that Public interest was inextricably linked to climate change and environmental degradation. The negative effects of climate change were becoming more visible, affecting people鈥檚 daily lives.
鈥楩reedom of the media and the ability to report independently on all such matters of public interest are important elements of democracy,鈥� he added.
Mohammad Ali Arafat, state minister for information and broadcasting, said that they always talked about ensuring freedom of press.聽
鈥楬owever, in some cases, vested interests exploit this freedom to publish agenda-driven news and disseminate misinformation,鈥� he added.
The state minister also warned of legal action if media freedom was misused to spread misinformation or disinformation.
