Media not yet fully free from fascist forces despite 5 August regime fall: Tarique
To ensure the security and stability of democracy, freedom of the press must be guaranteed
While the media in Bangladesh has enjoyed some degree of freedom following the fall of the fascist government on 5 August, it is still not entirely free from the grip of authoritarian forces, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said today (16 June).
In a Facebook post marking 16 June, which he described as a "black day" in the history of Bangladesh, Tarique criticised the one-party BAKSAL system introduced in 1975 and accused the post-independence ruling authorities of betraying the spirit of the Liberation War by abolishing multiparty democracy.
"On this day in 1975, the then ruling regime silenced the entire nation by abolishing all political parties and establishing the extreme authoritarian one-party BAKSAL system, keeping only four loyal newspapers active. As a result, countless journalists became unemployed, and their livelihoods and children's futures were pushed into uncertainty," Tarique wrote.
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He stated that the essence of the Liberation War lay in achieving both geographical freedom and democracy.
"In a true democracy, citizens' freedoms are ensured, and at its core lies freedom of speech, thought, and expression," he added.
Tarique credited late President Ziaur Rahman with restoring multiparty democracy and press freedom in Bangladesh after the collapse of the BAKSAL regime.
"Newspapers allow space for dissent, making the state and society accountable, and ensuring that citizens' will is reflected in the formation of the government," he said.
"Following independence, the ruling party betrayed the very ideals of the Liberation War by dismantling democratic practices and imposing the one-party BAKSAL system," he continued.
Tarique also criticised both Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter, ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, for allegedly suppressing press freedom.
"Like Sheikh Mujib, his daughter Sheikh Hasina followed the same path and reintroduced one-party rule in a new form. They continued to persecute journalists and the media through various draconian laws," he said.
"Freedom of the press was seized in Bangladesh. Speaking the truth was met with brutal repression. Journalists and people at all levels had to live in constant fear. With laws like the Digital Security Act and the Cyber Security Act, freedom of the press and expression was imprisoned in a dreadful fortress," he added.
He noted that although the situation has slightly improved after 5 August, the media is "still not completely free from the grip of fascist forces."
"I firmly believe that press freedom is a fundamental component of multiparty democracy. To ensure the safety and stability of democracy, freedom of the press must be guaranteed," Tarique concluded.
