The National Citizen Party (NCP) has strongly criticised several media outlets, including Maasranga Television, for publishing birthday greetings for former Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, who is in jail in connection with charges over the July killings and corruption.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the party expressed anger over reports published by some media outlets on October 31, describing Noor as a "cultural activist" or "cultural personality" while marking his birthday.

The NCP alleged that Noor was involved in the killing of students and members of the public, as well as widespread corruption, and described the media coverage as irresponsible and unethical, saying it was an attempt to rehabilitate fascism.

"Culture is not merely the practice of art; it is also one of the major tools for creating authoritarian and fascist narratives," the statement said.

The party said Noor was not merely an actor but had long been one of the key figures and driving forces behind what it described as the fascist system.

Portraying him positively in the media under the guise of humanity amounted to a betrayal of the blood of martyrs and an insult to thousands of families affected by repression, the NCP said.

It also alleged that such coverage was part of an attempt to conceal and normalise the horrific crimes committed under fascism.

The NCP urged the media outlets concerned to refrain from what it called attempts to downplay the alleged crimes of those accused of crimes against humanity and political wrongdoing.

The party also said the media had an ethical responsibility to play an active role in opposing fascism and supporting the process of building a democratic Bangladesh.

It called on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to form a media commission without delay.