Expressing disappointment at the recent statement of the United States (US) Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, journalist leaders today said that his comments about country independent media are tantamount to unnecessary intervention.
They said Bangladesh needs friends rather than masters and Bangladesh will not grovel to any foreign masters as it is humiliating for all.
Justice for Journalists organized the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club with its senior vice-president Obaidul Haque Khan in the chair.
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake was felt in different parts of the country at around 6:45pm today. The epicentre of the earthquake was located around 24km south of Goalpara of India Assam, at a depth of 10km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). However, no damage was reported at the time of filing this report.
Newly appointed Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Habibur Rahman today warned that no criminal whoever he or she is will be spared.
"It is important to eliminate crimes and illegal arms use in the metropolitan city, as the national elections approach," he told his maiden media briefing at DMP here.
He said necessary directions were already provided to bring criminals, who were released from jail through judicial process, under surveillance.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud sought Japanese cooperation to build up closer ties and work more closely as Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori paid a courtesy call on him at his Secretariat office.
The minister extended thanks to the envoy for his country support in economic and infrastructural sectors over the last 52 years.
Talking reporters after the meeting the minister said, “We discussed how the two countries can work more closely in future.”