The ability of journalists to work independently is an indicator of a nation’s democratic principles, said Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land A S M Saleh Ahmed.

“So, we want to see a transformed media where journalists can present the truth by delving deep into incidents without pressure from any side — where investigation becomes a collective pursuit of truth, and responsibility remains the core strength of journalism,” he said on Saturday.

He made the remarks while addressing a policy dialogue titled ‘Media Reform: Challenges and Policy Recommendations’ as the chief guest at Dhaka International University (DIU) in the capital.

The Dhaka International University Journalists’ Association organised the event.

Saleh Ahmed said a university is not merely a place to acquire knowledge but also a centre for creating new knowledge. Through research, he said, it is possible to connect the real experiences of society, the state, and ordinary people with policymaking.

He said there is vast scope for research on media in universities, as the media serves as a mirror of society. Both freedom and accountability are equally important, he added, emphasising that the extent to which journalists can work independently reflects the democratic strength of a nation.

DIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Zahidul Islam said objective journalism forms the foundation of media credibility and stressed that a journalist’s personal opinion, political inclination, or institutional interest should never influence news presentation.

Zonal Executive Officer (Deputy Secretary) of Dhaka North City Corporation Julkar Nayan said quality journalism cannot survive without ensuring fair wages and financial security for journalists, which he described as a pressing need for the sustainable development of the media.

Assistant Professor of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Jagannath University, Minhaz Uddin, said ensuring journalists’ safety is a precondition for media freedom, as true journalism cannot flourish under fear or pressure. He stressed that the government must guarantee such protection.

Security analyst Brigadier General (retd) Sarker Mohammad Shamsuddin observed that Bangladesh still needs to develop defence journalism as a specialised field. He emphasised the importance of providing journalists with proper training, access to information, and policy support in this regard.

Associate Professor at Independent University Bangladesh, Dr Mohammad Sarwar Hossain, stated that truth-telling and commitment to justice hold great importance in Islam. He said if the media adheres to these principles, accountability, fairness, and human values can be strengthened in society. He added that the media should operate in a way that neither compromises national security nor undermines the public’s right to know, noting that responsible and evidence-based defence journalism is a hallmark of a professional media culture.

DIU Journalists’ Association Chief Adviser Rajeeur Rahman, President Kalam Muhammad, and General Secretary Rakibul Islam Porosh, among others, attended the event.