Oikya Front seeks media’s cooperation on fair polls

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Bangla Tribune Report
Published : 19:20, Nov 16, 2018 | Updated : 20:25, Nov 16, 2018

Oikya Front seeks media’s cooperation on fair election

The anti-government alliance Jatiya Oikya Front has sought the cooperation of the country's media outlets so that the 11th Parliamentary Election, due on Dec 30, can be held in a free, fair and credible manner.
The alliance made the call at a meeting with the editors of newspapers at a city hotel on Friday (Nov 16)
“We had a three-hour meeting and it was an effective one. They (editors) gave their opinions and drew our attention on different issues,” Oikya Front leader Dr Kamal Hossain told the media after emerging from the meeting.
“What they (the government) expect from us -- if a free and fair election is to be ensured it is the duty of government as well as the opposition political parties to maintain the (congenial) polls atmosphere,” said Hossain, who is the president of Gano Forum.
He said, “Our aims to sit with the editors were to learn from them what they have witnessed (this year) so far compared to their previous experiences from polls.
“We have to be more aware so people can exercise their rights to votes freely and the polls can be free and fair in real terms.
“We have identified the government’s mistakes and expect the media will be watchful on it,” Hossain added.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “We have sought all cooperation, essential for a free, fair and credible election, from the media.”
Editor of weekly Saptahik Golam Murtaja said the several journalists advised the alliance to stay in the race.
“The alliance leaders sought cooperation on more media coverage on the arrest of their activists including BNP’s,” he said.
Quoting the editors, Murtaja said, “The alliance is going through many (political) obstacles, but its participation in the election is necessary for the sake of Bangladesh’s future.”
“The media is not in favour of any person rather it will try to reveal the truth,” he added.
Editor of New Age Nurul Kabir, Editor of Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman, Joint Editor of Inqilab Munshi Abdul Mannan, Editor of Dhaka Tribune Zafar Sobhan, AFP Bangladesh Bureau Chief Shafiqul Alam, Reuters Bangladesh Bureau Chief Shirajul Islam Kadir, Chief Editor of Manabzamin Matiur Rahman Chy and Voice of America correspondent Amir Khasru represented the journalist community in the meeting.
Oikya Front leaders Dr Zafarullah Chowdhury, ASM Abdur Rab, Tania Rab, Abdul Malek Ratan, Sultan Mohammad Mansur, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Mostafa Mohsin Montu, BNP leaders Moudud Ahamed, Dr Khandokar Mosharof Hossain, Amir Kosru Mahmud Chy and Shama Obayed were present among others.

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