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Published : 02 May 2025, 06:50 PM
Chief Advisor’s press aide Shafiqul Alam has said the July movement brought about the best time for journalism in the country and emphasised that the interim government is in favour of the freedom of expression.
Speaking at a discussion on national challenges after the July Uprising at Chattogram Press Club on Friday, he said the ability to “speak freely” was a key takeaway from the anti-discrimination movement.
“I doubt journalists were ever able to enjoy any period more than the one since the interior reform of the country on Aug 8,” he said.
“Those who are truly dedicated to journalism in Bangladesh have never seen better times. We are not suppressing anyone’s voice, cracking any pens, bolting any printing presses. We are encouraging everyone towards journalism.
“Many speakers say many things at night, many of them lie. We don’t shut anyone’s mouth. Many spread false news, but we don’t suspend their Facebook accounts.”
Shafiqul said Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in the first month of taking charge as head of the interim government had called the leading editors of the media and told them to “write freely”.
Yunus had urged everyone to point out the mistakes of the government, he added.
“You [journalists] tell us that what we’re doing is wrong, whether the policy we’re adopting would fare well. We want this from journalists. Despite that, some are saying the situation is worse than before.”
On Wednesday, private broadcaster Deepto TV suspended its news broadcasts following a heated confrontation between journalists and Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki during a press briefing.
The fallout extended beyond the channel, with three journalists from different outlets losing their jobs in the aftermath of the incident.
On the issue, Shafiqul said: “We’re not having any journalists sacked or appointed. If you think anything of this sort is happening inside the government, please investigate.”
Shafiqul stressed that the government would not “dissolve or puzzle” the freedom of speech in any way, and advised to stage protests in front of the channel’s office.
He noted that journalism in Bangladesh was at a crossroads, saying: “The method of how we absorb news has changed. People read less and consume news through videos now.”
Underlining the impact of false information, he said: “We see a regular flow of inaccuracy, misinformation and disinformation, which destabilise our society. One community is being set against another, one political party against another to disrupt the political process and undermine democracy.”
He blamed the Indian media and Awami League, saying “They have a lot of money, in millions and billions. Because you are consuming news through Facebook, you can’t verify whether it’s true. You’re not reading the newspaper.”
Shafiqul urged caution against such misinformation during the upcoming general election, which, the interim government says, would be held between December and June.
