The interim government on Friday warned of taking immediate legal action against officials of media houses if ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 speeches are published or aired in the future in the media outlets in the country.
In a statement, the chief adviser鈥檚 press wing mentioned that broadcasting or publishing audio messages from a convicted criminal and fugitive accused of genocide and crimes against humanity, Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, by television, print, or online聽 outlets in Bangladesh was a serious violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009.
Noting that Hasina鈥檚 trial is now under way at the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity, the statement also said that the activities of Awami League also remained prohibited under the laws of Bangladesh.
As per the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009, any individual or organisation that promotes, publishes, or broadcasts the activities or speeches of AL leaders will face legal action, the statement said.
鈥楢part from this, in December 2024, the International Crimes Tribunal prohibited the dissemination of hate-inciting statements made by the former dictator,鈥� it said.
It said, 鈥榃e regretfully note that on Thursday [August 21], some media outlets disregarded the law and court directives by broadcasting a speech of the deposed dictator, in which she delivered false and provocative remarks.鈥�
鈥楢t this critical moment in our nation鈥檚 history, we cannot afford to risk creating unnecessary confusion. It must be remembered that Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh following grave allegations that she ordered the massacre of hundreds of peaceful demonstrators during the July Uprising.鈥�
The interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, is working to guide Bangladesh towards the future on the basis of justice, accountability, and democratic integrity, the statement said.
鈥楩or the first time in generations, the people of Bangladesh are preparing for truly free and fair elections in the country,鈥� it said.
鈥楢t such a time, we call upon the media to exercise utmost caution and responsibility regarding the airing of Sheikh Hasina鈥檚 audios and speeches, which are intended to destabilise Bangladesh and incite violence,鈥� it added.
Any media outlet that violates these restrictions will be held legally accountable under the laws of Bangladesh, it warned.
On August 5, 2024, Sheikh Hasina, also the chief of Awami League, fled to India after the fall of the authoritarian regime of AL amid a student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh.
She is facing a number of cases over murders, corruption and crimes against humanity.