United News of Bangladesh

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Friday said the biggest challenge facing journalism today is the battle between misinformation and accurate information, falsehood and truth, and dishonest journalism and objective journalism. Speaking as the keynote speaker at a seminar titled “Role of Media in Sustainable Democracy” organised by the Television Editors’ Council at a city hotel, he said protecting credible information has become the core ethical responsibility of journalism. “Protecting clean information is now the fundamental ethics of journalism. Combating dishonest journalism is also the responsibility of honest journalism,” the minister said. “Therefore, the main challenge today is not simply the government versus journalists or media owners versus journalists. Rather, it is the battle between misinformation and accurate information, falsehood and truth, and dishonest journalism and objective journalism,” he added. The seminar was attended by Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir as the chief guest. Swapon said sustainable democracy and a free, responsible media are complementary to each other. “Just as sustainable democracy requires an independent media, the development of an independent media also requires a democratic environment,” he said. The minister said there is currently no interference in the media by the government or any intelligence agency. Raising the question of whether democracy should be established first or whether a sustainable democracy will emerge through the growth of a free media, he said the two must advance together. “These two issues complement one another and should move forward in parallel,” he said. Describing the media as an industry, Swapon said media organisations must remain financially viable to survive. “A media organisation must have financial capacity and ensure profitability to sustain itself. At the same time, accountability, compliance with the law and social responsibility are equally important,” he said, describing the government, media owners and advertisers as key stakeholders in the media ecosystem. “The government is accountable for serving the people, media owners are responsible for ensuring institutional sustainability, and advertisers strengthen the industry's economic foundation. A healthy media system can only be built if there is balance among these three stakeholders,” the minister said. He also highlighted the growing influence of digital platforms, global technology companies and artificial intelligence (AI) on journalism. Swapon stressed that establishing sustainable democracy and a strong media requires a comprehensive understanding of the entire media ecosystem. “It is not possible to reach effective solutions through a partial understanding of these issues,” he said.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged the media to continue scrutinising the government and highlighting its shortcomings while also allowing it sufficient time to deliver. “The government must always be kept under watch. If it makes mistakes, those should be pointed out. But at the same time, the government must also be given time,” he said while addressing as the chief guest a seminar titled “Role of Media in Sustainable Democracy”, organised by the Television Editors’ Council at a city hotel. Fakhrul said the media's role should not be limited to exposing government failures but also reflect its achievements. Referring to television talk shows, he said some programmes are being framed around the “government’s four months of failure,” creating an impression that the administration has completely failed, while little attention is being paid to what it has accomplished. “This one-sided approach by the media is not appropriate,” he said. Highlighting the importance of media freedom and responsibility, the BNP leader said a strong and independent media is essential for sustaining democracy. He stressed the need to strengthen media institutions and build a healthy relationship between owners and journalists. “If the media can work independently and without conditions, democracy will also become stronger. But for that, it is not enough to depend only on the government. Media institutions themselves must also become stronger,” Fakhrul said. He also expressed concern over the growing influence of social media, saying it has become “even more dangerous.” “A small post or a short reel can destroy a person’s lifetime achievements within moments,” the BNP secretary general said, noting that countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and France have imposed restrictions on children's access to social media because of its harmful effects. He said it is unrealistic to expect the government to solve every problem within a short period, as the country is currently passing through a transitional phase. “This is not only true for Bangladesh but for many countries in Asia,” he said. Calling for patience and tolerance, Fakhrul said, “We must not become impatient. We have to remain patient and tolerant. Otherwise, democracy can never move forward.” He urged the government, media organisations and media owners alike to exercise patience and tolerance, expressing hope that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh will move towards a sustainable democratic system. “If everyone works with patience alongside Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh can be taken to a stage where democracy stands on a sustainable foundation,” he said. The minister said whenever the BNP assumed office, it inherited a “ruined system.” Referring to the energy sector, he rejected suggestions that the current gas crisis has been created by the BNP government. “Has BNP created the gas crisis? The previous government did not carry out a single exploration scheme. Instead, it built a system dependent on imports,” he said. Fakhrul alleged that the previous government also created major problems in the power sector through quick rental power projects. “The banking sector has also been left in ruins. Restoring it has become a major challenge for the present government,” he said.    

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday alleged that India is once again using deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a “tool” to influence Bangladesh. He made the remarks while addressing a programme organised by the Shaheed July Smriti Sangsad at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 2nd anniversary of the July uprising. The event included financial assistance for families of those killed in the movement and a remembrance session. Rizvi, also BNP senior joint secretary general, said allowing Hasina to address a press conference on Wednesday was a “planned” move. “The country that claims to be the world's largest democracy has patronised this. Through this, Bangladesh’s sovereignty and independence have been insulted. Permission was deliberately granted to disrespect Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader alleged that India previously sought to control Bangladesh through Hasina but is no longer able to do so. “That is why Hasina is once again being used as a tool. The bloodthirsty monster has been driven out of Bangladesh. Now, a question has arisen can a fugitive convict engage in politics from the country where she has taken refuge? India has given her shelter, let her stay there. But from there, audio messages and statements are continuously being sent to create instability inside Bangladesh,” he said. Rizvi further alleged that Hasina was formally allowed to speak on the very date marking her ouster from power. “The Bangladesh government protested this. But the Indian government said it had no connection with the event. However, such a programme cannot be held without government approval. Without a government green signal, how could a fugitive convict and her son hold a press conference?” he said. The BNP leader also claimed that if Hasina returns to Bangladesh, the country will once again witness “bloodshed and she will spare no one.” Referring to the Awami League government, he alleged that there had been no fair justice during Hasina’s tenure. Rizvi claimed that judges who attempted to deliver impartial verdicts risked enforced disappearance or had to flee the country to save their lives.

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday said the opportunity given to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to address a programme of the Global Journalists Club of South Asia in India was arranged as part of a planned initiative by Indian policymakers. He made the remarks after placing wreaths and offering prayers at the graves of BNP founder and martyred President Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia on the occasion of the founding anniversary of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB). Rizvi said Sheikh Hasina is a fugitive and has been sentenced to death and life imprisonment while also facing trial in multiple murder and corruption cases. “She fled to another country. Under the 2013 extradition agreement, she could be returned to Bangladesh. The government has sent a letter seeking her extradition, but no response has been received,” he said. Rizvi, also BNP Senior Joint Secretary General, said Bangladesh and India had signed an extradition agreement for the return of fugitives, but instead of handing her over India has allowed her to engage in political activities. “I believe this is an insult to our national sovereignty. A neighbouring country which we consider a friendly state and with which we expect relations based on mutual respect has allowed a fugitive accused to present her political views with the assistance of her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy,” Rizvi said. He described the development as “extremely unfortunate,” alleging that it ignored mutual trust and respect between the two countries. “Our internal affairs have been disregarded. This is a form of interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs,” he said. Rizvi said Bangladesh learned of the planned event, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally informed the Indian government but there was no response. “Instead, the programme was held in Delhi on Aug 5, the day of her fall, the day when a mass movement for democracy, political freedom, freedom of expression and the protection of Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty culminated in a popular uprising that forced her to flee. Holding such a programme on that very day and allowing Sheikh Hasina to speak is entirely a planned move by Indian policymakers,” he alleged. The BNP leader said more than a thousand young people, teenagers and students lost their lives during the mass uprising. He said a neighbouring country which describes itself as the world’s largest democracy has allowed Hasina to engage in politics and deliver a speech on the very day marking her ouster. Rizvi also said that whenever Bangladesh takes initiatives to stand on its own feet, various international conspiracies emerge. Referring to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, he claimed that after introducing multi-party democracy and achieving food self-sufficiency, Zia was assassinated through “domestic and international conspiracies.” He said similar plans and conspiracies are continuing at present.

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday described former prime minister Sheikh Hasina as “the most despicable and hateful fascist in history,” adding that her rule was marked by repression, corruption and widespread killings. He made the remarks after visiting a photo exhibition on the July mass uprising and the BNP’s movement over the past 17 years at Gulshan in the capital. Rizvi said fascists and Nazis around the world had clung to power through brutality, but claimed there were key differences between them and Sheikh Hasina. “Hasina was also an extremely bloodthirsty fascist. Fascists like Hitler and Mussolini carried out ethnic cleansing and killed millions of people. But they also tried to make their own nations the strongest in the world. They wanted to establish their countries as the most powerful,” he said. The BNP Senior Joint Secretary General alleged that unlike Hitler or Mussolini, Sheikh Hasina siphoned money abroad, looted banks, plundered the stock market and occupied government land. “That is the difference between Hitler, Mussolini and Sheikh Hasina. They were dreadful killers and fascists, but they had love for their own countries. Sheikh Hasina, on the other hand, had no love for Bangladesh. Her main agenda was to plunder the nation and establish her relatives abroad. She never deviated from that agenda. That is why she was the most despicable and hateful fascist in history,” Rizvi said. The BNP leader alleged that fascism often emerged through covert political processes and claimed Bangladesh had experienced the rise of what he termed “Awami fascism.” According to him, those in power had repeatedly used deception and populist promises to gain office before resorting to violence to make their rule permanent. He said Sheikh Hasina failed to recognise that public sentiment, which, according to him, emboldened her to hold “staged and dummy elections” in an attempt to remain in power. He also claimed that, apart from a few countries, the international community did not support her government, yet it continued in office by force. Referring to reports that Sheikh Hasina would address an event organised by the South Asian Journalists in New Delhi, Rizvi criticised the Indian government for allegedly allowing her to deliver a message despite what he described as her status as a fugitive convicted of crimes. “She may not be delivering a video message, but she is being allowed to send an audio message. This reflects the Indian government's double standard,” he said. Rizvi alleged that India continued to support Sheikh Hasina because of what he called her pro-India stance. “It appears that if a fugitive or convicted criminal from another country is ‘India-friendly,’ then all of his or her crimes are forgiven,” he said, expressing strong condemnation and protest over what he described as India's conduct. The BNP leader also said people from different professions who had fought for democracy, freedom of expression, press freedom and an independent judiciary would not hesitate to join such movements again to realise those democratic aspirations.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain on Wednesday said the struggle will continue until those responsible for the genocide committed during the July mass uprising are brought to justice. He made the remarks while speaking after laying a wreath at the July Martyrs' Memorial at Shahbagh to pay tribute to those killed and injured during the July mass uprising. “On behalf of my generation, I want to say that we have not forgotten July. We have not forgotten the July fighters. We will not stop until justice is ensured for the genocide committed in Bangladesh,” Ishraque said. Referring to recent developments, he said attempts were being made to create instability on campuses by forces that were on the side of the mass uprising. The state minister alleged that the recent incidents could be part of a broader conspiracy. “I think this could be part of a long-term conspiracy. Through this conspiracy, those from the fallen fascist regime, who looted thousands of crores of taka from Bangladesh, may try to reinvest that money to destabilise the country and eventually attempt to return,” he said. Ishraque added that if deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attempted to return to Bangladesh, the death sentence awarded for the mass killings must be carried out. “That will mark the end of their role in Bangladesh's politics, InshaAllah,” he said. Calling on all to remain vigilant, he said any attempt to destabilise the country or undermine a politically and democratically elected government through unrest will be resisted.

Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan on Wednesday said a new chapter of change has begun in Bangladesh under the BNP government, and pledged to rebuild the country in the spirit of the July mass uprising.  He made the remarks after paying tribute at the July Martyrs’ Memorial in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh on the occasion of July Mass Uprising Day.  State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain also laid a wreath at the memorial.  Speaking to reporters after paying tribute, Minister Azam said, “We reaffirm our commitment as a democratic and patriotic government to rebuilding Bangladesh as a prosperous democratic nation in the spirit of the July uprising. We will implement the July Charter in that spirit.” He said the nation has united to build a prosperous and democratic state and the government expects participation and contributions from all sections of society.  Referring to the fall of the previous government, the minister said after 17 years of bloodshed on the streets, fascism came to an end on this day. “Therefore, today is a day of both mourning and victory.”  He urged BNP and other political parties that had remained active on the streets for years not to become divided for narrow political interests. Azam warned that any attempt to divide the country through behaviour resembling that of the former fascist regime will not be accepted by the people. He also prayed for the eternal peace of the July martyrs and the speedy recovery of those injured during the uprising.  Reiterating the government’s commitment, he said the July Charter will be implemented and that the people now want prosperity, democracy and the full establishment of their right to speak freely. 

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) President Rakibul Islam Rakib on Tuesday called on party activists to resist any attempts by what he described as terrorist groups to carry out attacks or acts of sabotage. He made the remarks at a rally following a protest procession held on the Dhaka University campus at night. Addressing the gathering, Rakib urged activists to remain patient and exercise restraint. “Everyone should maintain patience and tolerance. However, if any terrorist group tries to create disorder, launch attacks or use locally made weapons to carry out sabotage, they should be resisted,” he said. Before delivering his brief speech, Rakib led a protest procession on the campus in which JCD leaders and activists marched while chanting various slogans. He also urged party members to remain vigilant so that no terrorist group could create unrest or carry out acts of sabotage in the country.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said he firmly believes that no autocrat will ever again be able to rise in Bangladesh. He made the remarks in a post on his verified Facebook page at night. “I firmly believe that no autocrat will ever be able to rise again on this soil. That is the greatest strength of August 5, 2024. That is our commitment,” Fakhrul wrote. Reflecting on the political struggle against the previous government, he said the country had fought for more than a decade against what he described as a brutal autocracy, led by Sheikh Hasina, and against what he termed a decaying state system. The BNP leader claimed that millions of families were devastated during the movement, thousands of people were subjected to enforced disappearance, countless others were killed, the education system was destroyed, the economy was severely damaged and people’s future was pushed into darkness. “We never gave up. We were led by Khaleda Zia,” he said. Fakhrul said in July 2024, thousands of people took to the streets, standing for freedom and democracy. He alleged that hundreds of young people were killed to suppress the movement and claimed that even children standing on balconies and rooftops were not spared. The BNP secretary general also alleged that Sheikh Hasina ordered gunfire from helicopters and that her forces carried out those orders. Stating that no autocrat is stronger than the power of the people, he said Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee on August 5, 2024, in the face of the mass uprising led by students and the public. Fakhrul said this marked the beginning of a “new Bangladesh,” followed by the formation of an interim government. According to him, a United Nations investigation uncovered evidence of what he described as serious crimes committed during the Hasina administration, while Bangladesh’s tribunal also established those crimes, leading to a verdict and its execution. The BNP leader further said nearly six months ago, his party formed the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman through a popular mandate. He said the government had since faced a series of major challenges, including the Middle East conflict, shortages of gas and oil, a measles outbreak and global economic pressures. “Even then, we have not stopped. We believe that, InshaAllah, we will take this country further forward,” Fakhrul said. He said he had repeatedly spoken about his beliefs, ideals and the sacrifices made by his predecessors, political leaders, comrades and younger generations. The BNP leader said those sacrifices were made in pursuit of a dream, to build a self-respecting, developed, prosperous and confident Bangladesh based on the ideals of liberal democracy. “I still dream that dream today. Even at the age of 78, my belief remains unshaken,:Bangladesh can do it,” he said. Fakhrul added that his faith lies in the spirit of 1971, his confidence in the youth of 2024, his political ideals in Ziaur Rahman, and his belief in liberal democracy and Bangladeshi nationalist politics. “My confidence is in the BNP, because history bears witness that time and again, after grave crises, we have brought this nation back to the path of light,” he said. Fakhrul expressed hope that, inspired by the sacrifices of the martyrs and the dreams, talent and hard work of millions of people, Bangladesh will become a country governed by the rule of law, democracy and human dignity.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Monday said the government is committed to implementing every provision of the July Charter, describing it as a document written with the blood of the martyrs of the July mass uprising. "We signed the July Charter, and the blood of the martyrs is intertwined with that signature. Our government wants to implement every single word of the July Charter," he said while speaking as a special guest at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the Jatiya Press Club to mark the 2nd anniversary of the July uprising. No conspiracy based on religion, race to succeed in Bangladesh: Swapon Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the programme as the chief guest. Swapon said the government has repeatedly stated that the objectives of the July Charter will be achieved through constitutional means. "There is no constitutional or lawful platform other than the people's elected Parliament to realise these goals," he said. He underscored the need for strengthening democratic culture, saying, "This is not something a single political party can achieve. It requires the collective efforts of all political parties that consistently remained involved in the movement and struggle," he said. The minister said the sacrifices of the July martyrs will only be honoured if the political forces claiming ownership of the movement truly understand and uphold the ideals for which the martyrs gave away their lives. Referring to Mirza Fakhrul, he said the veteran leader's sacrifices and perseverance over the past 17 years reflected the guidance of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The minister said the government now bears the responsibility of governing the country, activating Parliament, strengthening the judiciary, safeguarding Bangladesh's sovereignty, enhancing the country's standing in the international arena and creating employment opportunities for the country's growing number of educated unemployed people. He also said they now want to ensure good governance. "If we can do that, only then the sacrifices of the martyrs truly be honoured," he said. Swapon said the government will continue efforts to keep all democratic forces united until the very end. However, he warned that if any political forces cross limits through misinformation, indecency or by knowingly or unknowingly serving the interests of conspirators under the guise of ideology, the government will have to fulfil its responsibility in the interest of establishing good governance.