Information Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam on Monday urged the media to refrain from supporting or shaping public opinion in favour of any fascist regime.
He made the call while addressing a seminar titled “Journalist Killings and Repression under Fascist Regimes” at the Press Information Department in Dhaka, marking World Press Freedom Day-2025.
Criticising the past 15 years of Awami League (AL) rule, the adviser alleged that the former government used the media to manufacture consent for enforced disappearances, abductions, extrajudicial killings, rape and other crimes.
“The AL created media institutions with ill motives, and the licensing of media outlets under the previous regime will now be investigated,” he said.
Referring to recent incidents of journalists being sacked without notice, the adviser said, “The government does not support termination of journalists without due process. Any journalist accused of wrongdoing must face procedural dismissal, not arbitrary removal.”
Addressing how certain outlets referred to the “July Uprising” as a movement and the new government as a post-regime shift authority, the adviser said, “It is unfortunate. The government has made no comments on these portrayals, and we believe the public will judge appropriately.”
“We don’t want the media to act as the mouthpiece of the government,” he said, calling on journalists to challenge the administration, “as accountability only strengthens governance.”
He further alleged that between July 19 and August 5 last year, more people were killed in Bangladesh than in Palestine during a similar timeframe. “No other recent massacre can be compared to that period,” he added.
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“The media was used as a tool to legitimize the misrule of the fallen regime,” Alam continued. “This politicisation of the media has deprived journalists of their rights, and this reality must be acknowledged.”
The adviser also said that the government will assist families of journalists who were killed or injured while performing their duties in the July uprising.
Attending the event, Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman said Bangladesh dropped 44 positions in the World Press Freedom Index over the past 15 years, reflecting the deterioration of press freedom under the AL’s tenure. “The attack on me was ordered directly by Sheikh Hasina,” he claimed, adding, “Fascism and press freedom cannot coexist. There must be swift justice for those involved in fascist activities.”
Chief of the Media Reform Commission Kamal Ahmed emphasised the need for a sustainable business model in the media industry, saying, “Without financial security for journalists, press freedom is impossible.”
The keynote paper was presented by Muhammad Abdullah, managing director of the Bangladesh Journalists’ Welfare Trust. Citing data, he said 61 journalists were killed and 3,588 were subjected to repression during the 15-year rule of the AL.
Other speakers included editors Shafik Rehman, Abul Asad, BFUJ acting president Obaidur Rahman Shahin, BFUJ vice-president Khairul Bashar, Prothom Alo executive editor Sajjad Sharif, Naya Diganta executive editor Masumur Rahman Khalili, and Sheersha News editor Ekramul Haque.
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Family members of slain journalists, including Monira Begum, wife of Golam Rabbani Nadim; Farhana Islam Bobby, wife of July uprising martyr Hasan Mehedi; and Shamsi Ara Zaman, mother of Tahir Zaman Priyo, shared their emotional recollections. Journalists Akhtaruzzaman and Rashedul Islam also spoke about their ordeals.
Officials from the Ministry of Information, families of journalists, and media professionals from print and electronic outlets attended the seminar.