Editor of the daily Amar Desh Mahmudur Rahman on Saturday called for the promotion of counter-narratives to combat what he described as politically motivated and negative propaganda designed to undermine Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democratic foundation.
He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion titled ‘Media under Fascism: What Should Be Our Role’, organised by the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the Jatiya Press Club, marking World Press Freedom Day.
Mahmudur Rahman alleged that a deliberate narrative was constructed against the then BNP-led government from 2001 to 2006, which he said paved the way for the military-backed caretaker regime following the events of 1/11.
“That regime acted as a proxy for Indian interests. I have always referred to it as a government of Indian agents—and I stand by that,” he said, naming former leaders Moeen U Ahmed, Masud Uddin Chowdhury and Fakhruddin Ahmed.
Warning of renewed efforts to reintroduce fascist tendencies and foreign influence, he cited recent media coverage and press interactions as part of a "coordinated narrative construction."
Calling on the media to remain alert, Dr Rahman urged all patriotic news outlets to actively promote counter-narratives. “We at Amar Desh do this every day—telling the stories of the people, of sovereignty, and of justice. But this must not be the task of a single outlet; it is the duty of every patriotic media house.”
He claimed Amar Desh was deliberately shut down, and he himself faced imprisonment and multiple assassination attempts because of the newspaper’s editorial stance. “They used brute force to silence the pen. But I believe in the battle of the pen—let them write, and I will write too. The people will decide who speaks the truth.”
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Citing data from journalist associations, Amar Desh Executive Editor Syed Abdal Ahmad said 65 journalists were killed during the 15-year tenure of the Awami League government.
Referring to a report by rights watchdog Odhikar, he noted that between 2009 and June 2024, a total of 3,369 journalists faced repression, including 21 killings, 1,510 injuries, 478 cases of physical assault and 221 attacks.
Besides, 66 journalists were arrested, seven abducted, 475 threatened, seven tortured and 427 subjected to lawsuits.
Among the most prominent cases was the 2012 murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, which remains unresolved. “Even after 158 months, the killers are still at large, despite the then Home Minister’s assurance of arrests within 48 hours,” Abdal Ahmad said.
DUJ President Md Shahidul Islam presided over the event, while General Secretary Khorshed Alam moderated the discussion.
Professor Dr Anwarullah Chowdhury, acting president of BFUJ Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, General Secretary Quader Gani Chowdhury and Senior Assistant Secretary Bashir Jamal, among others, spoke at the event.