Shock offered to media
The journalists vehemently protested the organisers' approach and returned the money considering it unethical
The organisers of a press conference of former officers of the armed forces yesterday tried to offer journalists money at the programme in the name of pocket money and transport fare.The journalists, however, refused to accept the money.
More than 100 ex-officers of the armed forces were present at the press conference in the capital's Trust Auditorium to share their views on the recent controversy over the cantonment house where Khaleda Zia used to reside.
At the end of the conference addressed by former chief of staff Lt Gen (retd) Harun-Ar-Rashid, the organisers handed over an envelope to each of the journalist. The envelopes were thought to have contained the press statement of the conference. As some of the journalists opened their envelopes -- to their shock -- they found Tk 1,000 inside the written statement of the former chief of the army staff.
The journalists reacted and sought an explanation from the retired officers of the armed forces. Some of the officers defended themselves saying journalists need "pocket money and transport fare" to cover press conferences.
The journalists vehemently protested the organisers' approach and returned the money considering it unethical. They also returned the lunch packets in protest at the money distribution.
At that time some senior army officers including Maj Gen (retd) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury approached the journalists and apologised for the incident.
Asked about the money, Maj (retd) Khandaker Abdul Hafiz said they did not know how the money came inside the envelopes. "It can be their [pro-BNP officers of the armed forces] act of sabotage," he said.
Prior to the conference, journalists repeatedly asked for the press statement so that they could go through the lines. But the organisers said they would give the statement later.
Lt Gen (retd) Harun left the auditorium immediately after the press conference. Contacted he told The Daily Star that he had no idea about the money. "I will look into the matter," added the former army chief.
More than 100 ex-officers of the armed forces were present at the press conference in the capital's Trust Auditorium to share their views on the recent controversy over the cantonment house where Khaleda Zia used to reside.
At the end of the conference addressed by former chief of staff Lt Gen (retd) Harun-Ar-Rashid, the organisers handed over an envelope to each of the journalist. The envelopes were thought to have contained the press statement of the conference. As some of the journalists opened their envelopes -- to their shock -- they found Tk 1,000 inside the written statement of the former chief of the army staff.
The journalists reacted and sought an explanation from the retired officers of the armed forces. Some of the officers defended themselves saying journalists need "pocket money and transport fare" to cover press conferences.
The journalists vehemently protested the organisers' approach and returned the money considering it unethical. They also returned the lunch packets in protest at the money distribution.
At that time some senior army officers including Maj Gen (retd) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury approached the journalists and apologised for the incident.
Asked about the money, Maj (retd) Khandaker Abdul Hafiz said they did not know how the money came inside the envelopes. "It can be their [pro-BNP officers of the armed forces] act of sabotage," he said.
Prior to the conference, journalists repeatedly asked for the press statement so that they could go through the lines. But the organisers said they would give the statement later.
Lt Gen (retd) Harun left the auditorium immediately after the press conference. Contacted he told The Daily Star that he had no idea about the money. "I will look into the matter," added the former army chief.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=163569
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