Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has stated that media freedom is essential in a democratic state. Unfortunately, he added, over the past 16-17 years, a fascist rule was established in the country, silencing dissenting voices.
He said, “Those who have worked in favour of fascism and supported enforced disappearances and killings do not have the right to exist under the banner of media.”
He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the multimedia inauguration ceremony of the Daily Barta at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday.
Rizvi said, “The importance of such a responsible newspaper is extremely essential in times of societal and state division. Even if the voice of the media is faint, there should be space to speak the truth.”
He alleged that the Awami League government has concealed every incident of enforced disappearance and killing by controlling the media and has suppressed dissenting individuals by labeling them as “militants”.
He claimed, “Sheikh Hasina suggested carrying out bomb attacks from helicopters to suppress the movement. Even her security advisor proposed killing the protesters.”
Citing examples from history, the BNP leader said, “The media that worked in favour of the authoritarian regimes in fascist Italy or Nazi Germany could not survive after the Second World War. Therefore, the media in Bangladesh that defends anti-democratic forces will also soon cease to exist.”
Regarding the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) election, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi further said, “The suspicion that the Ducsu election ballot papers are being printed in Nilkhet is not baseless. Yet, the chief returning officer is speaking in the language of the Awami League. This is demeaning for the university’s dignity.”
He added, “The duty of the media is to present the truth, not to praise the rulers. A conscientious journalist represents the conscience of the nation.”
At the event, he extended his best wishes to Editor Mahmud Anwar and others involved in building the Daily Barta as the “voice of the democratic movement.”
