Journalism is democracy''s best friend and independent journalism is the crying need of the time to usher in a meaningful change and establishing genuine human rights in the Country, reports UNB.

This was stated by speakers at a journalism award giving ceremony in the city Sunday. The High Commission of Canada and Bangladesh Centre for Development, Journalism and Communication (BCDJC) jointly organized the function for distribution of ''Canadian Awards for Excellence in Bangladesh Journalism 2008''.

The awards recognized the outstanding work of the journalists to support democracy building and good governance in Bangladesh. Law Adviser AF Hasan Arif was the chief guest at the function held at the LGED Bhaban in the morning.

Eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain, Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Barbara Richardson and BCDJC president Nayeemul Islam Khan attended the function as special guests. Speaking on the occasion, Law Adviser AF Hasan Arif said newspapers are considered as the truly representative parliament of the country.

"They portray the real picture of the society to the people." Lauding the organizers for arranging such a ceremony, he said it would encourage the "continued quest for excellence" within the journalism profession in the country. The Law Adviser said the parliamentary election in the country would be held within December as per the roadmap declared by the Election Commission.

"There is no reason for any confusion in the matter," he added. Dr Kamal Hossain in his speech admired the grassroots journalists who continued their professional works despite the risk of incurring the wrath of godfathers across the country. "Such brave journalists deserve to have the ''Bir Shreshtha Awards''," he said.

Mentioning the name of slain journalists Shamsur Rahman, Manik Saha and Humayun Kabir Balu, he said they scarified their lives in performing their professional duties.

Dr Kamal proposed allocating an entire page in every newspaper for publishing the names of "paid godfathers and terrorists" as identified by the journalists, especially at the grassroots level. "Such godfathers and terrorists resort to torch buses and trucks in the name of movement," he said.

Emphasizing on quality journalism, Canadian High Commissioner Barbara Richardson spoke on the role of journalism and the challenges faced by the journalists in the country. She mentioned the courage and commitment of journalists in Bangladesh and their contribution to the future of the country.

"Quality journalism has made major contributions to countries around the world and particularly to the growth of democracy and the freedom. It supports the simple idea that people can govern themselves," she said.

Eminent journalists, diplomats and distinguished members of civil society were present at the function. The four award-winning journalists are Iffat Zarin of Sangbad, Haider Akbar Khan Rono of Amar Desh, Jharna Roy of Shaptahik (Weekly) 2000 and Anwar Parvez Halim of PROBE newsmagazine. Each award recipient was given citation, crest and gift packet for their outstanding works in the print media.

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