A glance into Views Bangladesh's launching ceremony
Country's first ever and only bilingual online views and news portal, 'Views Bangladesh,' officially started its journey.
The inaugural ceremony was held at a city hotel on Thursday(December 28).
Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, graced the programme as the chief guest.
Presided over by Views Bangladesh Editor Rased Mehedi eminent personalities and columnists of the country were present at the event.
Author and Political Analyst Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque; Economist and Chairman of Dhaka School of Economics Dr. Kazi Khalequzzaman; Author and Former Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank Ziauddin Ahmed; Freedom Fighter, Agricultural Economist, and Director of Dhaka School of Economics Dr Jahangir Alam; Prof Dr Mamun Al Mahtab Swapanil; Former Secretary of the Government, Former Chairman of the National Board of Revenue, and Former Member of the Planning Commission Muhammad Abdul Majid, General Secretary of the National Press Club Shyamal Dutta, President of Bangladesh Federal union of journalists Omar Faruque, CEO of Global TV Syed Ishtiaq Reza; Chairman of Boishakhi TV Mushfiq Enam, Renowned Photojournalist Nasir Ali Mamun; Author and Journalist Mohsin Habib; Deputy Editor of Samakal Mahbub Az, Metro Editor of BSS Madhusudan Mandal; Poet Mohon Rayhan, and noted photojournalist Nasir Ali Mamun, among others, addressed the programme.
On behalf of Views Network Chairman Sharifa Akhter, who is currently outside the country, Dalia Nilufar delivered the greetings during the programme. Views Bangladesh Assistant Editor Girish Gairik delivered the welcome speech while News Editor Maria Salam moderated the event.
Let's have a glance into the event.
Journalism’s first obligation is to reveal the truth: Arefin Siddique
The most important obligation in journalism is to reveal the truth, said former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Arefin Siddique.
He said: "Journalists must perform their duties with neutrality. No obstacle can stand in between a journalist and the truth. Truth, truth, truth, the only mantra in truth in the profession. I hope that View Bangladesh will move forward only by keeping the mantra both in the heart and mind."
He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the country's first bilingual media portal Views Bangladesh at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Thursday (December 28).
Arefin Siddique stated: "Writing about the the overall political, economic, social and cultural situation of the country is the only cry presently. And Views Bangladesh will fulfill the need of the time."
"Views Bangladesh's tagline is Promoting Positive Bangladesh. Bangladesh has many negative aspects but we want to move forward with the positive ones," he added.
He further said that the journey of Views Bangladesh must start withdetermination of creating serious content beyond clickbait.
"Views Bangladesh should provide news that will be useful to people. It should express the reality responsibly."
Dr A A M S Arefin Siddique said that Views Bangladesh would serve as a platform for representative opinions.
He added that Views Bangladesh is committed to showcasing Bangladesh in a retrospective light. While acknowledging the presence of numerous thought-provoking issues in Bangladesh, he emphasized the portal's aspiration to advance discussions on retrospective topics.
He hopes that Views Bangladesh would independently disseminate news committed to truth.
Views Bangladesh is expected to capture the voices of all the people: Dr. Kazi Kholiquzzaman
He said: "Views Bangladesh is a new form of media. Here, alongside news, opinions will be revealed simultaneously. To me, the human aspect is crucial. So, Views Bangladesh is expected to capture the voices of all the people in the country."
"While Bangladesh has numerous thought-provoking aspects, Views Bangladesh should aim to move forward by emphasizing retrospective issues," he added.
He hopes that Views Bangladesh will forge ahead with the aspiration of serving the fact-based information and thought-provoking views.
Science should be given importance in the field of journalism: Abul Khasem Fazlul Haque
Noted educationist Abul Khasem Fazlul Haque said that science should be given importance in the field of journalism.
He said: "The question of whether science is a blessing or a curse first arose after the First World War. Rather than contributing to the discovery and development of science, Europe and America were leaning more towards its destructive side."
Mentioning that Science should be given importance in the field of journalism, he further said: "Science is neither a blessing nor a curse; it depends on how humans use it."
He emphasized the need to focus on the positive aspects and shed light on them, as eliminating the negative aspects permanently may not be possible.
Despite subsequent events like the Second World War and many other conflicts, he stressed the importance of maintaining a positive outlook.
Bangladesh was in need of bilingual views portal: Mohammad Abdul Mazid
He said: "The country was in need of a views portal like Views Bangladesh."
He expressed confidence that Views Bangladesh would fulfill that expectation. He pointed out that in many cases the sources of news used by foreign citizens to learn about us often have biased perspectives.
He hoped that Views Bangladesh would fill that gap and provide a more balanced and objective view.
Media's main tasks are responsibility and truthfulness: Shyamal Dutta
He said: "Media's main tasks are responsibility and truthfulness. Nowadays, people no longer read newspapers for news; they read for analysis. So, media outlets should perform duties in that direction."
"We need to evaluate what the media landscape was like just 20 years ago and compare it to the present situation," he added.
Noting that the mainstream news media is now accompanied by social media, altering the fundamental trend, he said social media platforms focus on sensationalism.
He said: “Social media does not have any editorial character. How do we describe an institution of this kind in terms of media?"
He thinks that this is the high time to shape the character of the new media so that the future journalists can cope up with the demands of time.
Views Bangladesh is an unique initiative in Bangladesh's media landscape: Omar Faruque
Omar Faruque, president of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), said that Views Bangladesh is an unique initiative in the media landscape of the country.
He said: "In journalism, news used to be confined to one place, and views were expressed elsewhere. Editorial opinions would be in the editorial section of a newspaper, and those who wrote them would have their opinions in the op-ed section."
"A few designated readers used to wait for these writings. In the newspapers, these subjects are now almost extinct," he added.
Nothing that Views Bangladesh is an exceptional initiative, he continued: "It is good to have change, and novelty is also good. However, not everything old is bad."
"We have lost many old things that we are still searching for. If through the initiative of Views, we can find some of those old things, then we will be grateful."
Views Bangladesh has taken a courageous step: Syed Ishtiaq Reza
He said: "it is a bold initiative for a portal to launch a campaign with views. Views Bangladesh did this tough task."
Mentioning that those who are within the power structure are not questioned, He hopes Views Bangladesh will make them accountable.
He told Views Bangladesh: "Ask questions and strive to ensure a place for responsive accountability."
Publishing a bilingual site is challenging: Mohsin Habib
He said: "Launching a bilingual views portal is a challenging thing as this is a new idea to be consumed by the mass people."
"In Bangladesh, there are over a thousand sites, and the challenge for Views Bangladesh will be to distinguish itself among these portals," he added.
Hoping that Views Bangladesh can take up this challenge, he thinks the new portal will carve out its own identity from within this vast array of such kinds.
There was limited option to express views in English: Dr Mamun Al Mahtab Shapnil
He expressed his expectation that Views Bangladesh will fulfill this demand.
Views Bangladesh will publish news of different genres, hopes Dr Jahangir Alam
He said that Views Bangladesh will coordinate reliable information effectively.
People will warmly welcome Views Bangladesh, hopes Ziauddin Ahmed
He expresses enthusiasm for the journey of Views Bangladesh.
Views Bangladesh would be a platform for free-minded people, hopes Nasir Ali Mamun
Photographer Nasir Ali Mamun believes that Views Bangladesh is a platform for free-minded individuals who advocate for the mental freedom of people in the Liberation War.
"In many prominent newspapers, there is no editorial responsibility for opinions."
However, it is essential to present opinions responsibly, he said.
Expressing true opinions is a formidable task: Mohon Raihan
He expresses the view that if Views Bangladesh can genuinely publish opinions, Bangladesh will progress significantly.
Mahbub Aziz welcomes Views Bangladesh
He believes that Views Bangladesh will work for the people in the true sense.
Views Bangladesh will benefit mass people: Mushfiq Inam
Seeing the name Views Bangladesh, it feels to him that everyone will benefit from the expression of individuals through the flow of events of each citizen.
Views Bangladesh will publish responsible news, hopes Madhusudan Mondal
He emphasizes the importance of actively publishing responsible news content.
Message of Sharifa Akter, chairman Views Network
Dalia Nilufar reading written message of Views Network Chairman
Views Bangladesh embarks on its auspicious journey, and in this special moment of today's event, I extend sincere greetings to the chief guest, the former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor A. A. M. S. Arefin Siddik, eminent personalities of the country, honored guests, honorable writers and all journalists and staff members of Views Bangladesh.
At the same time, I express gratitude to all of you for your contributions and companionship in the dream journey of Views Bangladesh.
Distinguished Guests,
I would be glad to inform you that Views Bangladesh was born with the commitment to elevate Bangladesh on the global stage through responsible journalism, analysis, and intellectual discussions. A familiar face in professional journalism in Bangladesh, Rased Mehedi, under his editorship, Views Bangladesh will advance far in the journey of Smart Bangladesh—today's joyous moment is the anticipation of that hope.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Views Bangladesh is an initiative of Views Network Limited, an innovative pathbreaker in creating creative content on digital platforms. As the Chairman of this organization, I would like to let you know that we are committed to taking Views Bangladesh to a dignified spot. With your active cooperation and support, Views Bangladesh will achieve its goal of being recognized as the first real-time bilingual views platform.
Once again, greetings to all of you. I wish everyone a healthy and beautiful life. Thank you.
Sharifa Akhter is currently abroad. Dalia Nilufar, joint news editor of Views Bangladesh, conveyed her message during the ceremony.
Editors message
Whether it's about substance or increasing views, whatever is presented as news must inherently serve a purpose.
They aspire to provide news that will be useful in people's lives. Their philosophy is to align their thoughts with responsibility.
They don't believe in editors being responsible for opinions. Instead, they place trust in the responsibility of the readers.
Anyone can express opinions on social media without any responsibility, but here at Views, they will publish opinions responsibly.
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