‘No one’s voice will be taken away like fascists’
Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to the chief adviser, said that every press conference of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be monitored, and the reform work will be carried out by keeping in mind what happened in the press conference, who played what role, then it will be beneficial.
He said that the voice will not be taken away like the fascists. Every fact will be discussed, but no one’s freedom of work will be curtailed.
Shafiqul Alam said these things at a discussion titled ‘Role of the media in the July genocide: Accountability and reform proposals’ at the National Press Club on Wednesday (November 20).
The press secretary to the chief adviser said that for the last 15 years, fascists have tried to take away our voice. We should not create such an environment by tagging someone Shibir, tagging someone BNP. We should not be fascist in our attitude. We should not take away the voice of another. We should not take away the voice of those who criticize. We welcome every voice. Let every voice continue in Bangladesh.
He said, we should know who made slanderous remarks about those who have disappeared. We will find out the killings by Hefazat in Shapla Chattar according to international standards. Sheikh Hasina held many press conferences from 2009 to 2024. There is a description of each one, who did what. We should keep a record of who had what role.
Shafiqul Alam said, international journalist rights groups have given many statements with press accreditation cards. We welcome their statements. But let them know what kind of terrible journalism has been done in the last 15 years.
He said, the journalism that took place from July 1 to August 5, the way students were called terrorists on TV. Who said it should be known. We will invite international journalist rights groups; you come and investigate what kind of journalism has taken place. See where fascist statements have been made.
He further said, we demand serious research on every issue. If we do research, our responsibility to the next generation will be fulfilled. We will be able to show them what events have happened.
The discussion, chaired by journalist Joynal Abedin Shishir, convener of 'We Want a Fascist-Free Media' and moderated by spokesperson Plabon Tariq, was also attended by Syed Abdal Ahmed, executive editor of Daily Amar Desh, S.M. Rashedul Islam, senior journalist of BSS, Abbas Uddin Nayan, chief reporter of The Business Standard, researcher and teacher Mahabub Alam, vice-president of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Dr. Touhidur Rahman Awal, publication editor of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir Azizur Rahman Azad, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and member secretary of Ekatar Bangladesh Tahmid Al Mudassir, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Shihab Uddin Khan, New Age senior journalist Faiz Ahmed, among others.