BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul warns against partisanship in the media

Senior BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged journalists to stick to their professional ethics and refrain from aligning with political parties to fulfil their professional commitment to the people.

Speaking at a discussion on media reform at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on Monday, Mirza Fakhrul said divisions within journalists’ unions and their alignment with political camps had undermined public trust.

“It creates a problem if journalists choose to slip into the pockets of political parties,” said the BNP secretary general.

“Let me be frank, journalists have many unions like BFUJ. Even such organisations have factions. You like to act as a partisan. Political parties do not want you to keep in their folds. But it has become a problem when you choose to go there,” said Fakhrul.

Fakhrul also alleged that sections of the media had supported “fascist" Awami League regime over the past 15 years.

“The people of the country saw it. There is clearly a lack of commitment. Please keep yourselves from entering into such positions and practice independent journalism to serve the people,” said Fakhrul.

The discussion, organised by the Broadcast Journalist Centre (BJC), brought together political leaders to review the recommendations of the Media Reform Commission and discuss steps for ensuring independent journalism and worker-friendly newsrooms.

Fakhrul added that the BNP would prioritise the commission’s proposals if it returned to power.

“Our commitment is clear. In our 31-point outline we said we want a free media,” he said.

He also expressed regret that the commission’s report had not received wider attention.