Chief Advisor’s Office releases rejoinder to bdnews24.com report

Its rejoinder is published here in full

The Chief Advisor’s Office on Wednesday issued a rejoinder to a bdnews24.com report titled “Awami League urges ICC investigation of ‘murders, unlawful imprisonment’ in Bangladesh”. The statement is reproduced below in full.

Rejoinder to bdnews24.com Report

We note with serious concern the article published by bdnews24.com titled “Awami League urges ICC investigation of ‘murders, unlawful imprisonment’ in Bangladesh” which features an interview with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The report, as presented, is deeply misleading and lacks critical context. It omits mention of the serious and well-documented charges against Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League’s record of corruption, violence, and authoritarian governance. By failing to include these facts, the piece inadvertently portrays Hasina and her party as victims, while those who have worked to restore democracy and accountability in Bangladesh, including the interim government and the July revolutionaries, are cast as aggressors.

Such omission represents a serious lapse in editorial judgment and professional ethics. Media outlets carry a responsibility to inform the public truthfully and in full context, especially on matters of national importance. Selective reporting that amplifies the voices of discredited figures without appropriate balance or factual framing undermines public trust and distorts historical reality.

It is also imperative to remember that Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has issued an explicit ban on disseminating specific types of media coverage related to Sheikh Hasina that could interfere with the judicial process, especially in relation to her ongoing trial for crimes against humanity and contempt of court. This judicial ban is aimed at preventing witness intimidation, incitement, and undue influence on proceedings.

We urge bdnews24.com to exercise greater caution and responsibility in its coverage going forward. The platform should refrain from further disseminating content that gives undue legitimacy or visibility to individuals under credible investigation and to narratives that misrepresent the current transitional process.

We expect that this rejoinder will be published prominently in the same section as the original report, in keeping with standard journalistic practice and the principles of fairness and accountability.