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Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has urged crime reporters to play a responsible role in building a crime-free society, saying drugs and gambling are the main drivers of most crimes.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a programme marking the 43rd founding anniversary of the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) on Wednesday (September 16).
The minister said crime reporters and investigative journalists have a significant role in building a safe and crime-free society. As crime patterns have changed with the times and become increasingly technology-driven and digital, he said responsible and objective journalism is essential alongside modern legal frameworks.
“Crime, criminals, criminology, police and the Home Ministry are deeply interconnected,” he said, stressing the importance of organisations such as CRAB in providing information and advice on crime prevention and maintaining law and order.
He said investigative journalism is a knowledge-based field requiring extensive study and analysis. Rather than focusing only on punishing offenders, society must identify the root causes of crime, he added.
“Analyses of various heinous and sensational crimes in society have shown that, in most cases, drugs and gambling are the main driving forces,” Salahuddin said.
The minister said the government would consider providing assistance through the CSR Fund or other means to crime reporters who are injured or otherwise affected while performing their professional duties.
He also said the government would examine the legal aspects of introducing certificates from the Home Ministry or police department to recognise professional excellence and investigative journalism.
Describing the media as the mirror of society, Salahuddin said crime could be significantly reduced if journalists properly fulfilled their responsibilities to society.
He cited the reduction in acid-related crimes as an example of successful cooperation among the state, media and society. He said strict legal measures, a strong media role and widespread public awareness had brought such crimes close to zero.
He called for similar joint efforts to combat drugs, online gambling and other crimes.
On legal reforms, the minister said the government had enacted the Gambling Prevention Act 2026 to address online gambling, match-fixing and organised crime in the digital space, replacing the 150-year-old Gambling Act of 1867. It has also enacted the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Act 2026, he said.
He added that the government was working on necessary legal reforms and new laws to prevent criminals from exploiting loopholes in weak legislation.
CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal chaired the programme. MP Shafiqul Islam Masud, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed and Prime Minister’s Assistant (Political) Md Rashed Khan, among others, spoke at the event. CRAB General Secretary MM Badshah moderated the programme.
