Published : 23 Aug 2026, 06:46 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:35 AM
New Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman has said journalists worked with their “hands tied” during the Awami League's 17-year rule, when people would think “10 times” before even posting on Facebook.
He made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with ministry officials at the Secretariat after taking charge as information minister.
“Despite being under that kind of controlling environment for the past 17 years, the media brought us many reports. It was through the media that we learned about the government’s failures and repression, and how democracy was silenced.”
Highlighting the importance of the media, the new information minister said: “They (the media) are also a very important pillar of democracy. Our struggle in these 17 years was to restore democracy, which existed in name only. But we knew that even after posting something on Facebook, many people would think 10 times about whether they should keep the post up or not. That situation existed within the media as well.”
Recalling the role the media played despite such circumstances, Andaleeve said: “There is absolutely no scope to underestimate the role of the media and those involved in it during our July movement. Not in any way.”
Speaking about his approach to running the ministry, Andaleeve said: “We have to keep in mind that our responsibility in this ministry is certainly to regulate, but under no circumstances should we move toward control. In all our work—I say this repeatedly—because Bangladesh operated in a particular way for 17 years. It is very difficult to change the system because everything becomes embedded within the system.”
Criticising the previous government, he said: “The biggest problem with the previous government was that when politicians failed, they took the future of the nation into their own hands. Over these 17 years, from the judiciary to politics, statutory bodies, parliament and every department, such a degree of moral degradation and such work practices were established that it will take time to change them. But we must keep in mind that we should never take steps in that direction.”
Expressing confidence in the officials’ expertise and experience, the minister said: “You have much more expertise than I do. You are far more experienced than us in how these areas are managed and in the bureaucratic ways of working. Our job is to mitigate the harshness—sometimes of bureaucratic decisions—and communicate them to the people and uplift the public.”
Speaking about new goals and expectations, Andaleeve said: “Our desire is to take Bangladesh in a new direction. We have to concentrate on repairing the damage that has been done and developing a new system. Please pray for us. By the grace of Allah, we will all work together moving forward and build a beautiful Bangladesh.”
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury, Information and Broadcasting Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman, and Secretary Mahbuba Farzana were also present at the event.
