The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson, Khaleda Zia, on Wednesday accused the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) government of trying to establish its control over the media and called on journalists to put up a united resistance against it.
“I urge the journalists to get united and create a strong resistance against the blueprint of putting the independence of press at stake,” she said in a message.
Also former prime minister, Khaleda issued the message marking the shutdown of all newspapers, except four ones, on 16 June 1975.
“The 16 June 1975 is a black day in Bangladesh’s history as the then one-party BKSAL [Bangladesh Krisak Sramik Awami League] government had closed all the newspapers, except four loyal to it,” the BNP chief said.
She said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman later restored democracy and the freedom of press.
Khaleda said there is no alternative to ensuring the freedom of press for safeguarding democracy. “But, it’s a matter of regret that AL is following its old path and making all-out efforts to control the newspapers by oppressing journalists and dictating them.”
She said the journalists have been performing their professional duties amid panic and anxiety in the country.
Khaleda said all must remain aware and continue their efforts to tackle the evil forces so that no one can repeat the ‘same dreadful’ incidents as happened on 16 June 1975.
Source: Prothom Alo
