The Editors’ Council has strongly rejected “sweeping allegations” made against the media industry at the National Youth Conference 2025. The event was organised by the National Citizen Party (NCP) youth wing Jatiya Jubo Shakti to mark International Youth Day.
In a press release issued Wednesday, the council stated, “During the ongoing International Human Rights Week, a series of sweeping and undesirable allegations were made regarding the media.
“It was alleged that the media attempted to tarnish the character of those involved in the mass uprising and that Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime used media organisations as a mouthpiece. The Editors’ Council clearly rejects such sweeping remarks.”
The Editors’ Council stated that during last year’s student-led mass uprising, print media played an extremely important role. During the Awami League’s 15 years in power, editors and journalists were victims of various forms of repression, harassment, and suppression, it added.
The release further read, “While the uprising was underway, the media courageously reported on killings by state forces, human rights violations, the internet blackout, and other important issues.
“A large section of the print media actively stood by the mass uprising through objective and impartial information gathering, while also engaging in constructive criticism where necessary.”
The council pointed out, even during the tenure of the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus after the uprising, the print media played a constructive role in building a democratic state, upholding the aspirations of the mass uprising, and highlighting the various limitations of the government.
The Editors’ Council strongly protests such derogatory remarks made at the NCP’s conference and urges all parties to present fact-based and responsible statements.