The National Editors Council (NEC) held its first general meeting at a hotel in the capital on Monday, attended by editors of 29 daily newspapers published in Dhaka and other regions. Jaijaidin editor Shafik Rehman was elected president for an interim period, while Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman became secretary general. Wada editor Shafiqul Alam was elected treasurer. Participants approved the council’s constitution with amendments.

Editors discussed press freedom and improving professional standards. Mahmudur Rahman said the organisation aimed to expand communication among journalists and help editors remain united for independent journalism. Shafik Rehman said journalists had an important role in maintaining peace and stability and called for cooperation to bring editors nationwide onto one platform.

Jugantor editor Abdul Hai Shikdar proposed an award named after Kazi Nazrul Islam for contributions to journalism, and the meeting accepted the proposal. The council decided to award the Nazrul Medal annually for journalism. Other participants called on the NEC to work toward press and freedom of expression and to become a voice for editors across Bangladesh.