Dhaka: Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has accused a faction of journalists of colluding with a fascist regime for personal gains, manipulating facts, and crafting false narratives to legitimize killings. He stated that during significant political events since 2009, including the July uprising, some journalists justified autocratic actions by creating narratives that legitimized authoritarian rule and disregarded people’s rights.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shafiqul Alam made these remarks at a discussion titled ‘Fascist Media Narratives: A Retrospective on July 1-36’, organized by ‘We Want a Fascist-Free Mass Media’, at Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club. Alam pointed out that over the last 15 years, certain journalists acted as power brokers during political turmoil, serving dictators in exchange for benefits. He criticized media appointments driven by political considerations, which led to biased journalism supporting government interests.
In his address, Alam called for a shift towards responsible and independent journalism in Bangladesh. He urged media outlets to focus on presenting facts and offering constructive criticism rather than praising political figures or the government. Highlighting the need for constructive criticism, he mentioned a recent instance where a leading newspaper published articles praising Professor Yunus and urged them to focus on issues instead.
Alam emphasized the importance of this period for journalism in Bangladesh, seeking to rebuild the nation with the help of the interim government’s Consensus Commission. He called for a country where everyone’s voice is heard, unlike the past 15 years. The discussion was chaired by platform convener Zainal Abedin Shishir and attended by several journalists’ union leaders and reporters.
The press secretary acknowledged past challenges faced by journalists and called for a new beginning. He stressed the importance of documenting significant events and failures of the past to ensure future generations do not face similar challenges. Alam urged journalists never to act as power brokers and to expose government mistakes, highlighting the role of journalism in fostering a fairer nation.
A key paper presented by platform spokesperson Plabon Tarique analyzed over 150 articles published between July 1-36, which legitimized autocratic narratives. The analysis highlighted how specific reports in newspapers like Kaler Kantho, Janakantha, and Bhorer Kagoj supported the fascist government’s agenda.