Access to information, responsible journalism to ensure good governance in South Asia: seminar views

Editors, experts and academics here Saturday observed that good governance in the South Asian countries is unlikely to be achieved if people's access to information alongside responsible journalism is not ensured.

The observation was made at a seminar marking the World Press Freedom Day. The speakers at the seminar said journalists would have to work relentlessly to achieve freedom of press, keeping it in mind that they are working for public interests.

Singapore-based Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) arranged the seminar in collaboration with Bangladeshi private news agency UNB, United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) and the University of Liberal Arts (ULAB) with the theme "Access to Information and the Empowerment of People" in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on May 2-3.

Bangladesh's leading English daily The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz AnamMahfuz Anam in his keynote paper said freedom of press is associated with good governance and also economic wellbeing of a country.

He, however, noted that only freedom of press or access to information won't ensure the aspired good governance, rather journalists would have to achieve such qualities and skills to address the socioeconomic problems and explore the potential.

Different journalist organizations in Bangladesh organized seminars to celebrate the holiday for press.