The MC College Reporters’ Unity (MCCRU), the only journalists’ organisation at historic Murari Chand (MC) College in Sylhet, celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sunday with a range of programmes.

Speakers at the event said truthful and objective journalism is a powerful tool for social change, while campus journalism helps develop students’ reporting skills, leadership abilities and awareness of issues affecting their institution.

They said the Reporters’ Unity had over the past decade highlighted the college’s positive activities while also engaging in constructive criticism to address various problems on campus.

The organisation has also undertaken social initiatives and its members demonstrated responsibility during the Covid-19 pandemic and other crises, they said, urging the organisation to continue its work in the future.

The day’s programme began at 11:30am with a tree-planting drive in front of the Reporters’ Unity office. A rally was later held and ended at the M Saifur Rahman Building.

The event was chaired by MC College Reporters’ Unity President Lobib Ahmed, with college Principal Professor Mohammad Tofail Ahmed as the chief guest.

College Vice-Principal Professor Md Akmal Hossain, Sylhet Press Club President Muktabis-un-Nur, former adviser to the Reporters’ Unity and College Inspector of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Sylhet, Sheikh Md Nazrul Islam, the organisation’s supervising teacher and Botany Department Assistant Professor Shailendra Mohan Singh, Sylhet District Press Club President Md Moin Uddin, Sylhet Press Club General Secretary Md Sirajul Islam and Daily Waada journalist Mohammad Ali Mazed also spoke at the event.

Former Reporters’ Unity presidents Azhar Uddin Shimul, Ashraf Ahmed and Md Musleh Uddin Munaim, and former joint general secretary Rajib Hossain also addressed the event.

Representatives of political student organisations who spoke included MC College Chhatra Dal President Khan Mohammad Sami, Islami Chatra Shibir President Abu Taher Misbah and Chhatra Majlis Office Secretary Abdul Wadud.

The programme concluded with the unveiling of the Reporters’ Unit’s first magazine, Janala.