Transparency International Bangladesh executive director Iftekharuzzaman on Monday said that creating obstacles for free journalism was alarming for democracy.

Addressing a virtual discussion titled ‘Rights of information, freedom of expression and investigative journalism: Bangladesh aspect’, Iftekharuzzaman said that creating barriers on the way to the free flow of information was hampering rule of law, prevention of corruption and governance.

TIB organised the programme marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information and TIB-Investigative Journalism Award 2020.

Discussants at the programme urged the government to amend the controversial Digital Security Act 2018 saying that the Act was used to control the voice of journalists as well as free thinkers.

They said that the government was emphasising on hiding information about corruption than curbing of corruption.

They also urged the journalists to unite against the repression of the authorities through investigative journalism.

Senior journalist Afsan Chowdhury, Dhaka University journalism teacher Gitiara Nasreen and Boishakhi TV consultant editor Julfikar Ali Manik spoke at the programme, among others.

NTV journalist Shafiq Shahin was awarded as the best reporter in television reporting category this year while Daily Kaler Kantho journalist Arifur Rahman was awarded in national newspaper category, Jashore’s daily Gramer Kagoj reporter Foysal Islam and Chattogram weekly Chatgar Bani reporter Mohammad Selim jointly awarded as best reporter in local newspaper category while Channel 24 show Operation Searchlight was awarded as best TV investigation show.