BNP will always stand by journalists, assures Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (4 May) assured that their party, whether in government or in opposition, will always stand by journalists to uphold press freedom.

"We can assure you [journalists], and we can say clearly without hesitation and with strong confidence, that we have always been and will continue to be in favour of freedom of the press in the future, whether we are in government or not, wherever we are," he told a discussion.

The Editors' Council arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking World Press Freedom Day.

Fakhrul said their party has long been fighting against the oppression inflicted on journalists and the laws and regulations related to media that have been given a fascist character.

"We would like to say in very clear and strong terms that we will never support unjustly imposing anyone's views on others. We will strongly support the freedom of expression of others," he said.

Even if they do not like what others think, the BNP leader said they will support and uphold the freedom of its expression.

As they are sincere about ensuring press freedom, Fakhrul said their party included it in its 31-point state-overhauling outlines, assuring the independence of the media.

He said BNP worked significantly towards ensuring press freedom in Bangladesh, as there were fewer incidents of repression on journalists during BNP's rule. "I don't want to say we're free from shortcomings."

"We believe in the freedom of others and cannot see mob justice as the standard of democracy. The Liberation War of 1971 is a huge issue. We do not want to compromise on that. This is our basis," the BNP leader said.

Referring to the issue of reform, Fakhrul said there is propaganda against the BNP, suggesting that the party opposes reform.

"It is often said we want elections, not reform. But in reality, the idea of reform was initiated by us. We introduced multiparty democracy, moving away from a one-party system. It was us who transitioned the country from a presidential system to a parliamentary one. Despite our strong reservations, we incorporated the caretaker government into the Constitution. These are the facts. To question us unnecessarily while ignoring these realities, or to misrepresent our intentions, may serve political purposes," he said.

He also expressed that he now feels somewhat anxious when speaking to the media, fearing distortion or misinterpretation of his remarks and views.

"Personally, I feel a bit nervous lately when addressing the press. I worry about how the media will interpret my words, how they will be published, or how social media will present them. For those of us involved in politics, this has become a genuine concern. One cannot help but be worried about the recent trend of character assassination, especially on social media," the BNP leader said.

Fakhrul said the BNP was the first to restore press freedom after the Awami League introduced the one-party Baksal regime, shutting down all but four newspapers.

He stressed that there is no alternative to building a democratic society in order to truly establish democracy in the country. "If I believe that only what I say is right, then we will not be able to practise democracy properly. Likewise, if the media only validates me when I echo their voice, and invalidates me when I do not—such a mindset will not strengthen the democratic process."

The BNP leader went on to say, "Where does lie the crisis? The crisis is the absence of democracy itself. We have been fighting for 15 years—for the restoration and advancement of democracy."

He said the students created an opportunity to establish a democratic system by ousting a fascist regime through the July–August mass uprising in 2024.

Fakhrul, however, said democracy is something that must be practised and nurtured. "Just as a tree needs regular watering to grow, democracy, too, must be practised consistently. It cannot be established merely through a sudden declaration."

He also said trust in the people and respect for their thoughts, verdict, and opinions is necessary for practising democracy.

Convener of National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam said the statements of their party and its leaders are being presented in different ways by some media outlets. "We hope that the relations between the political parties and the mass media will be more positive in the future," he said.

Nahid called upon the government to implement the recommendations made by the Reform Commission as early as possible. "A positive change will be visible in the media landscape if these recommendations are implemented."

Over the past 16 years, he said, the rise of fascist rule in the country has left no institution untouched and the media has been no exception.

Nahid argues that a clear roadmap for media reform is urgently required to free the press from the grip of politicisation and ideological dominance.

Much like other state institutions, he said the media has also been subjected to politicisation under the influence of fascism. "Interference in the media has not only been legal but also cultural… A kind of fascism has crept into the media's internal culture. Unless this is dismantled, public trust will not return."

On the issue of media ownership, Nahid said it is essential to ensure transparency in the ownership structure. "Corporate ownership often reflects the narrow interests of vested quarters, using media platforms to serve entrenched agendas. In the process, the voice of the people gets lost."

He said the National Citizens' Party (NCP) believes in a free press. "We believe that freedom of expression is essential to democratic practice, and for that, an independent media is the most critical pillar."

Nahid said the reasons behind the notable public dissatisfaction with certain media outlets should be seriously analysed. "We have never supported shutting down any media. On the contrary, our goal is to create an environment in which the media can speak for the people freely and without fear."

Dewan Hanif Mahmud, General Secretary of the Editors' Council and Editor of Bonik Barta, moderated the discussion, with Editors' Council President and The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam in the chair.

New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, Manabzamin Editor-in-Chief Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Kaler Kantho Editor and Jatiya Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, and Gono Sanghati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki, among others, addressed the programme.