Staff Reporter :
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman has stated that the judiciary played a facilitating role in consolidating the authoritarian rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Speaking at a training workshop on investigative journalism held at the Midas Centre in Dhaka on Saturday, Dr Iftekharuzzaman also criticised a section of the media, suggesting that some outlets had contributed to the entrenchment of such governance in the country in the past.
The workshop, jointly organised by TIB and the Supreme Court Reporters Forum (SRF), aimed to equip journalists with skills to investigate legal affairs and uncover irregularities within the judiciary.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman emphasised the intrinsic link between judicial independence and media freedom, highlighting their shared role in ensuring accountability and promoting good governance.
“The independence of the judiciary and the media are deeply interconnected,” he said during his keynote address. “To achieve the full benefits of a functional judiciary, political reforms are essential. Journalists can play a pivotal role in driving these changes.”
He also criticised the role of institutions that, instead of safeguarding justice and accountability, had previously enabled the centralisation of power by the government.
The event featured additional remarks from Supreme Court Reporters Forum President Masudur Rahman and General Secretary Golam Rabbani, who stressed the importance of transparency and ethical journalism in legal reporting.
In response to concerns raised about media reporting on the judiciary, Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque assured journalists of legal support in cases involving allegations of contempt of court.
He underscored the need to balance press freedom with respect for judicial processes, emphasising the role of responsible journalism in strengthening democratic institutions.