Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday said that the interim government will soon issue accreditation cards to genuine journalists following proper verification maintaining procedural transparency.
“The government will not allow any leader of any party to lobby for accreditation cards,” he said while addressing a discussion titled “Media Trends after the Uprising” at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club, reports BSS.
Shafiqul emphasised the interim government’s commitment to safeguarding press freedom, noting that the media has been enjoying unfettered freedom over the past nine months.
However, he criticised some media outlets for allegedly misrepresenting participants of recent mass movements.
“A large section of the media tried to legitimise Sheikh Hasina through branding the students and people who participated in the mass uprising as terrorists or militants,” he said, adding that the interim government wants everyone [media] to tell the truth.
“The media will be independent and institutional. The government has not closed any news outlet. Rather, it has opened online blocked sites like Netra News,” he noted.
While acknowledging concerns over individual social media misuse, Shafiqul clarified that the government is not curtailing freedom of expression.
“News organisations should establish social media guidelines like in other countries,” he opined.
The event, chaired by Fascism Free Media convener Joynal Abedin Shishir, also featured remarks by Press Institute Bangladesh Director General Faruk Wasif.
The press secretary further stressed the need for media reforms, including copyright protections and sustainable salary structures, to strengthen professional journalism.