BNP senior leader Rafiqul Islam Miah on Wednesday said the government ‘dared’ to formulate the ‘anti-people’ National Broadcast Policy, 2014 taking advantage of the division among journalists.
“If the journalists remain undivided, no government can take such a move to frame a broadcast policy which is contrary to the constitution and against the interest of the mass people,” he said.
Addressing a human chain programme, Rafiqul Islam urged the journalists to get united putting aside the conflicts and misunderstandings among them to protect democracy and the freedom of expression as per the hopes and aspirations of the country’s people.
Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas), a cultural wing of BNP, arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the National Broadcast Policy.
Rafiqul, also a BNP standing committee member, alleged that the government made the policy as part of its plot to cling to power by stifling the media and free thinking.
He said the government is trying to block the criticism and news on the misdeeds and corruption of the ministers and ruling party leaders by the policy. “The main motive behind the policy is to stop the flow of information on the government’s politicisation, corruption and failures in the media.”
The BNP leader said the government is trying to turn Rab, police and other forces into its private forces by imposing a restriction on publishing news against the law enforcers with a policy.
He warned that the government will not be able to hang onto power for a long-time with the policy. “Your (govt’s) dream won’t be materialised.”
Source: UNB
