Hasnat Abdullah, lawmaker for Cumilla-4, expressed intense indignation in the Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday regarding the lack of action against media outlets that functioned as collaborators of the autocratic regime over the last fifteen years.
Speaking during the parliamentary session on 7 June, he added that for the past 17 years, certain media houses conducted “shameless propaganda” in favour of the then ruling fascist forces, suppressed opposing views, and presented a distorted reality to the public, playing a significant role in the process of destroying democracy.
Hasnat further noted that despite the change in the political landscape, no visible action has been taken against these media houses; rather, they are once again becoming active in attempts to influence public opinion.
Highlighting media outlets owned by the Bashundhara Group in particular, Abdullah questioned what measures the government has initiated to ensure the accountability of institutions that acted as propaganda tools against the people and the democratic process.
Responding to the concerns, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasir Khan stated that the government is observant of past activities and various allegations.
He assured the House that if any media organisation or concerned individual is proven to have violated existing laws or participated in activities detrimental to the interests of the state and its citizens, action will be taken according to the prevailing law.
The state minister emphasised that “media freedom does not mean impunity.”
He maintained that no one involved in political propaganda, spreading misinformation, or damaging democratic institutions under the guise of newspapers, television, or online platforms would be exempted from legal accountability.
Following the raising of the issue, several members, including Zainul Abedin Farroque, expressed their views in support of the demand.
They argued it is essential to scrutinise the roles of media houses that served as spokespersons for the authorities and suppressed dissent during the autocratic rule to ensure accountability.
Failure to do so, they warned, would risk a resurgence of past malpractices in new guises. Furthermore, the members urged the government to take action against individuals operating as “so-called journalists” at the union level.
