Remarks

Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Judith A. Chammas at Prothom Alo

Dhaka, July 19, 2005

Mr. Motiur Rahman and the distinguished staff of Prothom Alo, As-salaamu alaikum, namaskar and good afternoon.

Thank you for welcoming me to your offices today. During the past two years, while serving as Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission here in Dhaka, I have had the privilege to interact with many members of the Bangladeshi media. I am always impressed by your professionalism and commitment, so when I assumed my post as Chargé D’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy at the beginning of this month, I made sure to include the press among my first official visits. I am happy to see some faces that I have already met here today, and I look forward to meeting and interacting with many more of you in my new position.

One of the most promising features of Bangladeshi democracy is the generally free environment in which the media operate. A journalistic community committed to fair and accurate reporting is essential to maintaining a free and democratic society. The media has the responsibility to inform the public and can only do so when they face neither fear nor favor for their reporting from government or civil society. Only an informed public is capable of fully participating in the democratic process.

The media can be a forum for debate on issues of local, national and international interest. In order to maintain that position, the press must hold political, business and community leaders accountable for their actions. In a democracy, an informed public is absolutely necessary to ensuring the integrity of the government and the honesty of practitioners throughout the nation.

Despite the relative freedom enjoyed by journalists in Bangladesh, the United States is troubled by incidents of violence against journalists. The frequency with which journalists in Bangladesh face challenges to their freedom and security is a matter of deep concern for us. A perilous environment, wrought with threats and intimidation is an environment that strangles the free flow of ideas.

 

The temptation to practice self censorship often becomes overwhelming when journalists face threats to their and their families’ safety, lawsuits or even physical assault. When journalists practice self censorship, society as a whole suffers from the loss of information. It is not only the journalists themselves who are the victims of the acts of violence, but Bangladesh as a whole, which faces the possibility of losing their most valuable resource: information.

Access to information, unbiased, accurate, and uncensored, is a critical component of a vibrant, functional democracy. I commend Bangladeshi journalists on their commitment to reporting the facts and urge you to resist the temptation to censor yourselves.

I look forward to working with you, the journalistic community, during my tenure as Chargé.

Donnobad

 

Note:  A Bangla translation of this article is also available from the American Center.  If you are interested in the translation, please call the American Center Press Section (Tel: 8813440-4, Fax: 9881677; e-mail: DhakaPA@state.gov; Website: dhaka.usembassy.gov