Print: 28 Oct 2025
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Photo : Collected
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday pledged that his party would form a commission to uphold free and transparent journalism if it returns to power.
“Journalism in Bangladesh was completely devastated during the fascist era. BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has always advocated for independent journalism. A commission will be formed to ensure press freedom,” he said.
He made the remarks while speaking at a seminar titled “Journalism During the Fascist Regime and the Present Situation” held at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
The seminar was presided over by Mohammad Kashem, chief executive of the Ziaur Rahman Study Circle, and moderated by former DRU president Mursalin Nomani.
Special guests included Dr Ziauddin Haider, adviser to the BNP Chairperson, and Manjurul Islam, executive editor of Bangladesh Pratidin.
Ashik Islam, former senior assistant press secretary to former prime minister Khaleda Zia, presented the keynote paper.
Khasru accused the ruling Awami League of systematically destroying journalism in Bangladesh over the past 15 years. “Many journalists were forced to leave the country due to a hostile media environment, while others left the profession entirely. I helped some of them relocate abroad,” he said.
He also emphasised the need for a clear separation between media management and editorial departments, saying, “Just as the Hasina government has blurred the lines between the judiciary, the Election Commission, and Parliament, it has also undermined journalism by eliminating the distinction between media owners and journalists.”
Khasru stressed that democracy cannot thrive without political freedom, economic justice, and freedom of expression.
Referring to a cartoon of Tarique Rahman published after 5 August, Khasru said, “Instead of reacting with anger, Tarique shared the cartoon himself and praised the artist. That is what respect for free media looks like.”
He urged journalists to maintain objectivity in their reporting, regardless of personal political beliefs.
In his keynote, Ashik Islam alleged that the Awami League government enacted the Digital Security Act (DSA) in 2018 to suppress press freedom. Citing data from October 2018 to September 2023, he claimed that 1,436 cases were filed under the DSA, involving 4,520 individuals. Of those, at least 451 were journalists—209 from national media and 197 from local outlets. At least 97 journalists were arrested, including 50 from local media.
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BNP pledges commission to ensure press freedom: Khasru
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Photo : Collected
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday pledged that his party would form a commission to uphold free and transparent journalism if it returns to power.
“Journalism in Bangladesh was completely devastated during the fascist era. BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has always advocated for independent journalism. A commission will be formed to ensure press freedom,” he said.
He made the remarks while speaking at a seminar titled “Journalism During the Fascist Regime and the Present Situation” held at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
The seminar was presided over by Mohammad Kashem, chief executive of the Ziaur Rahman Study Circle, and moderated by former DRU president Mursalin Nomani.
Special guests included Dr Ziauddin Haider, adviser to the BNP Chairperson, and Manjurul Islam, executive editor of Bangladesh Pratidin.
Ashik Islam, former senior assistant press secretary to former prime minister Khaleda Zia, presented the keynote paper.
Khasru accused the ruling Awami League of systematically destroying journalism in Bangladesh over the past 15 years. “Many journalists were forced to leave the country due to a hostile media environment, while others left the profession entirely. I helped some of them relocate abroad,” he said.
He also emphasised the need for a clear separation between media management and editorial departments, saying, “Just as the Hasina government has blurred the lines between the judiciary, the Election Commission, and Parliament, it has also undermined journalism by eliminating the distinction between media owners and journalists.”
Khasru stressed that democracy cannot thrive without political freedom, economic justice, and freedom of expression.
Referring to a cartoon of Tarique Rahman published after 5 August, Khasru said, “Instead of reacting with anger, Tarique shared the cartoon himself and praised the artist. That is what respect for free media looks like.”
He urged journalists to maintain objectivity in their reporting, regardless of personal political beliefs.
In his keynote, Ashik Islam alleged that the Awami League government enacted the Digital Security Act (DSA) in 2018 to suppress press freedom. Citing data from October 2018 to September 2023, he claimed that 1,436 cases were filed under the DSA, involving 4,520 individuals. Of those, at least 451 were journalists—209 from national media and 197 from local outlets. At least 97 journalists were arrested, including 50 from local media.