Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman has said that the judiciary had played a facilitating role in establishing Sheikh Hasina's authoritarian rule.
He also criticised a section of the media for aiding in the entrenchment of such governance.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman made the remarks on Saturday while inaugurating a training workshop on investigative journalism related to legal affairs at the Midas Centre in Dhaka.
Appoint ACC leadership above political, bureaucratic influences: TIB
The workshop was jointly organised by TIB and the Supreme Court Reporters Forum (SRF).
“The judiciary and media's independence are intrinsically linked,” he emphasised. “To reap the benefits of a functional judiciary, political reforms are imperative. Journalists can play a significant role in driving this change.”
He said the judiciary and sections of the media, which are meant to ensure accountability, had instead been complicit in enabling authoritarian practices.
Supreme Court Reporters Forum's President Masudur Rahman and General Secretary, Golam Rabbani also spoke at the event.
Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque assured journalists of legal support in cases involving allegations of contempt of court.
The workshop aimed to empower journalists with skills in uncovering judicial irregularities, focusing on the critical intersection of law and investigative reporting.