Journalists and politicians at a discussion on Sunday urged the removal of barriers to free journalism, including the repeal of restrictive laws, for building a democratic Bangladesh.
They said a democratic society cannot function without a free and vibrant media, expressing concern over the existence of restrictive laws faced by journalists.
Speakers made the comments at the discussion organised by the Editors鈥� Council at the National Press Club in Dhaka to mark World Press Freedom Day 2025 observed on April 3.
Addressing the event, Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed his party鈥檚 commitment to press freedom, saying, 鈥榃e have been, are, and will always be in favour of press freedom 鈥攚hether in power or in opposition.鈥�
Admitting that no government is without flaws, Fakhrul said the BNP had relatively fewer incidents of journalist repression during its tenure.
Editors鈥� Council president and Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, who presided over the event, condemned the growing trend of filing mass lawsuits against journalists. 鈥榃e support accountability in journalism, but mass cases against journalists create an environment of fear and are detrimental to press freedom,鈥� he said.
He said that at least 266 journalists are currently facing charges, including serious criminal accusations such as murders and violent crimes, and many live in fear of mob attacks. He called this a direct threat to the freedom and safety of the press.
Manabzamin editor-in-chief Matiur Rahman Chowdhury expressed concern over journalists losing jobs for asking tough questions. 鈥榃e are celebrating World Press Freedom Day in a country where asking questions can cost you your job,鈥� he said.
He acknowledged some recent improvement in press conditions but highlighted internal divisions within the media as a growing threat.
抖阴精品 editor Nurul Kabir said although media freedom has slightly improved compared to the past, Bangladesh still ranks low globally on press freedom index.聽
He said the state and those who ran state are responsible for obstacles to freedom of the media while politicians were responsible for all the laws and legal measures through which freedom of the media was affected.
He said the current government has a full political mandate for being in power, because everyone who had protested against a dictatorial government in various ways had the active support for this government.
Nurul Kabir also observed that many reform commissions have been formed, but there has been a clear consensus in society for long on the withdrawal or repeal of some laws.聽
He also said it is important that the government is talking to different stakeholders, but it is dangerous that they are not moving forward with their own ideas as a baseline.
Nagarik Oikya president Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that no government in the past 53-54 years took a more liberal approach to the media than the current one.
However, he acknowledged the persistence of Digital Security Act cases against journalists and questioned why Dr Muhammad Yunus did not address these cases earlier.
Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolan, emphasised the need to eliminate laws that enable the government to suppress the media.
Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party, noted Bangladesh鈥檚 recent advancement of 16 places in the World Press Freedom Index but argued that the country remains far behind acceptable standards. He alleged that the media was under fascist influence for the past 16 years and called for a comprehensive road map to liberate it.
Editors鈥� Council general secretary and Bonik Barta editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud conducted the event while Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, National Press Club President and Kaler Kantho editor Hasan Hafiz, The Financial Express Editor Shamsul Huq Zahid, and Daily Inqilab editor AMM Bahauddin were also present among others.
