UN support to be sought for assessing journalists’ role in last 15 years: Shafiqul Alam

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said assistance will be sought from the United Nations to form a comprehensive report evaluating the role of journalists over the past 15 years during Sheikh Hasina's tenure.

"The UN will be requested to form an expert panel to investigate how journalism was conducted during the past three national elections and other major events, and to publish a detailed report," he said.

He made these remarks today (2 May) at a discussion session held at the Chattogram Press Club's July Uprising Memorial Hall. The event, titled "Bangladesh After the July Uprising: Challenges for the Media," was organised by the Chattogram Press Club and the Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists' Union. Shafiqul Alam attended as the chief guest.

The press secretary praised a previous UN report on the July massacre, noting, "That report detailed the roles of various Awami League leaders and ministers. We will write to the UN seeking similar support for a report on journalism over the last 15 years. Let's see how they respond."

One recurring topic in the discussion was the role of some Chattogram-based journalists allegedly aiding police in identifying protesters during the July uprising. Calling the matter a serious allegation, Alam said, "This incident should be investigated. The journalists' union and press club should form an independent committee comprising a judge and a retired police officer to thoroughly probe the issue.

"This should have been done long ago. Those responsible must be held accountable under the law. Had the movement failed, these journalists would have turned on the students," he added.

He further stated that the People of Bangladesh are currently enjoying greater freedom of expression than at any other time. "People are writing freely, criticising openly—even hurling insults—and no action is being taken against them. Some say we are being soft on authoritarian allies, but we cannot act outside the law. After the interim government was formed, the chief adviser met with editors [of newspapers] and encouraged them to write freely. We haven't shut down any media houses. If a media outlet sacks a journalist, go and protest in front of their office."

Alam also accused foreign media and the Awami League of spreading disinformation to destabilize the country. "People watch videos more than they read news these days. Taking advantage of this, falsehoods are being spread. For example, Awami League operatives circulated a video claiming that Jamaat-e-Islami activists slaughtered a youth, but later it was found to be from a drug-related incident in Latin America. Yet people believed it. Disinformation is being used to create conflict among social groups and political parties."

"With elections ahead, our media must be ready to tackle this. It's not just the government's responsibility. Every newsroom should have a fact-checking cell. This is a post-revolutionary challenge," he added.

The discussion was presided over by Zahidul Karim Kochi, member secretary of the Chattogram Press Club. Special guests included acting President of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Obaidur Rahman Shaheen and Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury. The concept note was presented by Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor, Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar.

Other speakers included Chattogram District Bar Association President Abdus Sattar, Dr Khurshid Jamil (Secretary of the Chattogram chapter of the Bangladesh United Professionals Council), Osman Gani Mansur (Secretary General of the Commonwealth Journalists Association), Associate Professor Shahidul Haque of Chattogram University's Department of Communication and Journalism, Premier University Vice-Chancellor Professor Nasrul Qadir, Joint Chief Organizer of the Bangladesh Democratic Student Council Riziaur Rahman, National Citizens' Committee member Neela Afroze, and Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists' Union President Mohammad Shahnawaz.