Prime Minister's Media Advisor and Editor of Daily Observer Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury on Sunday said journalists should be united to uphold the spirit of Liberation War, strengthen democracy and combat fundamentalism and terrorism.

He was addressing as the chief guest the launching ceremony of Khulna- based "Joytv24.com" at Khulna Divisional Museum Auditorium in the city.

Iqbal Sobhan said the present government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ensured freedom of the press and urged the journalists' community to be objective in their reports and responsible in profession.

They should not be biased to any political ideology while rendering service to the people and the country, he said.

Presided over by Chairman of joytv24.com Mujibur Rahman Shamim, the function was addressed by Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md. Abdus Samad, Administrator of Bagerhat District Council Freedom Fighter Sheikh Kamruzzaman Tuku, Khulna Deputy Commissioner Nazmul Ahsan, Khulna Police Super S M Habibur Rahman, President of Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) S M Zahid Hossain, Secretary of Khulna Press Club Mahbub Alam Sohag and General Secretary of Khulna Shilpakala Academy Mokbul Hossain Mintu, among others.

Expressing solidarity with the resentment of the journalists' community, Iqbal Sobhan said trials of murder cases of journalists Farhad and Goutom were held.

The journalists must detect the flaws and weaknesses of other killing trials including Sagar-Runi, Humayun Kabir Balu and Manik Saha and write in their reports, he added.

Terming the present government as media-friendly, Iqbal Sobhan said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina upholding the journalists' dignity amended Section 500/501 and because of it no journalist could be arrested without a summons.

The Prime Minister already distributed 3.5 crore among the journalists in the last one year from the Journalists Welfare Trust.

He launched the Joytv24.com by switching a computer button and unveiled its logo by cutting a floral rope.

Iqbal Sobhan paid tributes at the sculpture of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the premises of Khulna Press Club.

BSS/RI