Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Kamal Uddin Mozumder Sabuj, served as the chief guest at a function marking World Press Freedom Day, organised by the Feni Reporters Unity (FRU) in Feni. Photo: BSS

FENI, May 11, 2026 (BSS) - Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Kamal Uddin Mozumder Sabuj today urged fellow newsmen to enjoy press freedom maintaining professional responsibility as he joined as the chief guest at a function to mark the World Press Freedom Day.

“There was no interference on the government part since it assumed office two and a half months ago. But I believe the journalists themselves should uphold their professionalism, maintaining responsibility,” he said.

Sabuj, however, said even if the government did not interfere, a section of owners of the media industry often enforce “censorship” on their own to protect their parochial interests.

The national news agency chief said if the mainstream media could not operate freely due to government interference, as it happened during 17 years of fascist rule, the social media would replace them.

“But since the social media are not accountable to anyone, they emerges as sources of misinformation or rumours exposing the (mainstream) mass media to a state of challenge,” he said.

Sabuj suggested formulation of a roadmap under a joint initiative of the government, media owners, journalists and other stakeholders to overcome the challenge.

Feni Reporters Unity (FRU) arranged event while the organisation’s president Mohammad Shahadat Hossain chaired the function, which conferred honour senior journalists Osman Harun Mahmud Dulal, Ismail Hossain Siraji and Abul Kashem Chowdhury with journalism awards.

The function was joined by Daily Amar Kagoj Editor Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan Rana, BNP National Executive Committee member and Public Prosecutor Mezbah Uddin Khan, and Jamaat central Majlish-e-Shura member Professor Liaqat Ali Bhuiyan as special guests.

The BSS chief editor said unfortunately nowhere in the world the media enjoyed complete freedom and “there is actually no such thing as total neutrality” and the path of journalists had never been smooth but “we have to move forward through struggle and responsibility”.

“The media condition in Europe, America and neighbouring India is not encouraging either. Even in developed countries, governments often try to control the media in their own way,” he said referring to US President Donald Trump’s threats to journalists in public.

Sabuj said, in comparison, Bangladesh’s media scenario was much better and the journalists in the country therefore needed to take the advantage by discharging their duty with a professional attitude.

“When we write a report, it must be objective and when we edit, we must do it responsibly,” he said.

Sabuj, who hails from Feni, said the sons of the district in the past made remarkable contribution to the field of journalism alongside the arenas of politics, businesses and industry and culture.

“The present generation (of Feni) must continue this legacy,” he said.

FRU’s general secretary Didarul Alam moderated the discussion it was also addressed by district correspondents of different media houses and local Journalists’ leaders.