Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Thursday said the responsibilities of journalists could be more difficult than those of politicians, as he urged the media to maintain objectivity in its reporting.

Speaking at the 31st founding anniversary programme of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), Moyeen Khan said journalism placed reporters in a position where their work was routinely judged by those they covered.

“Journalism is a difficult profession. You know that the work of politicians is also difficult. But sometimes I think that carrying out the responsibilities of journalism and performing the duties of a journalist are even more difficult than the job of politicians,” he said.

The minister said people tended to welcome favourable coverage but criticised journalists when reports went against them.

“If you write something positive about someone, they will be pleased. But if you write something negative, they will start pointing out your mistakes and shortcomings,” he said.

Moyeen Khan said maintaining objectivity was the way for journalists to deal with such pressures.

“When you remain objective, that problem goes away,” he said.

Referring to the media’s historical description as the “fourth estate,” Moyeen Khan said journalists should recognise the importance of their role in the functioning of the state.

He recalled that journalists were once denied access to the British Parliament before eventually securing the right to report on its proceedings, a development associated with the emergence of the “fourth estate” description for the press.

“I hope you yourselves realise how important you are,” he told journalists, adding that adherence to objective reporting would help them discharge their professional responsibilities.

Moyeen Khan also praised the DRU, saying that despite the presence of numerous journalists’ organisations in Bangladesh, the organisation had largely remained within the scope of its professional mandate.

“For that, I express my respect for the DRU,” he said.