Criticise, don’t sensationalise

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday urged journalists to criticise constructively while avoiding sensationalism.

He said, “Mistakes can happen. If I make any mistake, you tell me. But if you present the mistake in a way that increases newspaper sales, or for any other purpose, then perhaps that will harm both sides at some point.

“There is no reason for any enmity with you. Why should there be any?”

Tarique was speaking at a programme organised by the PMO Press Wing for an exchange of views with journalists covering the BNP beat at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Citing an example, he said, “Our Matiur Rahman bhai from Prothom Alo came to meet us and said they were bringing out a magazine [Rosh Alo] and wanted to publish a cartoon.

“I told him, ‘Go ahead, there is no problem.’ He then said the cartoon would be quite harsh. I asked what kind of cartoon it would be. “He said it would depict me during my speech in parliament on the last day of the previous session, sitting on a chair that was emitting fire.”

“I said, ‘No problem, publish it. A cartoon is a cartoon’,” the PM added.

Asked about his experience as prime minister so far, Tarique said he has been feeling “extreme pressure” while discharging his duties since taking office nearly four months ago.

“Of course, there is the pressure of responsibility. There are many problems and many limitations. At the same time, the expectations of people from different classes and professions are very high.

“I don’t even realise when evening comes. I’m not getting time to catch my breath…. I feel it would have been better if a day were 48 hours long instead of 24.”

About the government’s challenges, he said the administration had to deal with several major issues in its first few months.

“We began our journey with Tk 30 lakh crore in loans. At the start, Ramadan began and we naturally had to get through the month. After Ramadan, the war [the US-Israel war on Iran] started.”

Asked about incidents of disorderly behaviour by some BNP leaders and activists, he admitted that such incidents were taking place but said action was being taken.

“It’s not that such things are not happening. Even before forming the government, if any of our party leaders or activists behaved in an unwanted way anywhere, we took action.

“Now, as we are in government, if such incidents still happen anywhere, we are taking two steps -- from the party’s position, we are taking the action that should be taken, while at the same time, we are trying to take action in accordance with the law.”

The PM urged journalists to focus more on media coverage that encourages children.

“The government is trying to take several initiatives in education, including curriculum-related activities, professional training and foreign language education. Some of the initiatives are already underway,” he said, adding that a major sports programme had been launched for school students.

The programme, which included around 22 lakh students from different districts across the country, has almost concluded, he said, adding, “Such a big event took place, and so many lakh children participated, but I did not see any appreciation or news coverage in the newspapers of Bangladesh.

“The programme was not limited to children from families linked to the BNP. Children from all kinds of families took part, regardless of party affiliation, opinion, or political or non-political identity.”

Tarique also said another innovation programme for students was underway across the country. The competition is now being held at the district level and will later move to the divisional level, while the national event is scheduled for the 28th.

“Two days ago, my wife went to the innovation programme in Dhaka district [to see] what children are thinking and what they can innovate.... It is now being held at the district level. I did not see much news coverage of this either.

“The news was covered only because my wife went there. So, what kind of news are we doing?”

The PM added, “We are not covering children’s sports. Again, we are also not covering children’s innovation programmes. What are we actually covering? I think we need to think about this.”

Stressing the need to stop moral decline and restore social values among young people, he said, “Awareness must start from schools.”