Research is needed to know how some media outlets had endorsed the use of firearms by law enforcers against young protestors during the July-August movement, said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday.

“We know what role the media played under Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime over the past 15 years. However, research is needed to understand how media had influenced the law enforcement agencies to open fire on young protestors during the movement,” said Shafiqul.

He was speaking at a discussion titled “The Role of Media in the July Massacre: Accountability and Reforms,” organised by “We Want Fascism-Free Media” at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

The session was presided over by journalist Zainal Abedin Shishir, convener of the movement, and moderated by its spokesperson Plabon Tariq.

The press secretary said the authoritarian government formulated various media policies aimed at control rather than freedom.

He stressed the need for revising these policies to establish an independent media landscape.

“After the disappearance of Ilias Ali, we have to see how many media outlets published the news and who criticised it after the news was published. We need to analyse who justified the 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections,” he added.

Daily Amar Desh executive editor Syed Abdal Ahmed highlighted historical media suppression saying, “During Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s tenure all but four newspapers were shut down, leaving countless journalists unemployed. Sheikh Hasina’s regime mirrored such fascism by enforcing media narratives favorable to the government.”

Discussants called for justice for crimes against journalists including the unresolved murders of Sagar-Runi and allegations of torture on Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman.

They criticised the media’s inability to collectively oppose injustices against journalists.

Highlighting journalist safety, they proposed forming a Media Commission to oversee fair practices, protect journalists’ rights, and ensure transparency in ownership and funding.