Calls govt to refrain passing key laws: Fakhrul urges journos to avoid political alignment
Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday urged on journalists to strengthen their professional unions and refrain from aligning with any political party, saying this is essential for protecting their rights and ensuring genuine press freedom.
Speaking at the opening session of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists’ (BFUJ) biennial council at the Jatiya Press Club, he warned that social media platforms are increasingly being misused to fuel disorder and hinder the country’s democratic transition.
“Golam Parwar (Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General) rightly pointed out that journalists must focus on their own demands and responsibilities.
The primary duty of journalists’ unions is to negotiate with owners or the government on these issues,” Fakhrul said.
He stressed that political alignment-whether with the ruling or opposition camp-has never solved journalists’ problems.
“Over the last 15 years, Sheikh Hasina’s fascist rule systematically destroyed media freedom. I urge your leaders to move away from such dependency,” he said.
Fakhrul said journalists must build strong, independent unions if they want to secure their rights.
“You have to stand firm on your own, without being tied to any political group. Only then can you achieve what you deserve. This is the true responsibility of a union.”
He also praised media workers who had taken a stand against authoritarianism during the anti-fascist movement.Representatives from 18 affiliated journalist unions, including the Dhaka Union of Journalists, attended the council.
Turning to the upcoming national election, Fakhrul said the nation is eagerly waiting for the February polls, hopeful of returning to a democratic order.
“We all want an election.
But we must also respect others’ freedom of expression. Democracy means we may disagree, but we must defend each other’s right to speak,” he said.
He lamented that in Bangladesh, people are often targeted and smeared simply for holding different views.
“We must stay away from these toxic practices,” he added. Fakhrul said social media has become a global concern because of the absence of accountability.
“Anyone can post anything.
Baseless attacks on political leaders, public figures, and businesses are harming democratic norms,” he said.
He noted that such negative campaigns in Bangladesh have created severe social and political problems. “Some influencers are deliberately creating disorder-inciting mob violence, spreading disinformation, and maligning individuals.
This is clearly obstructing our democratic progress,” he said.
The BNP leader said the party has always supported press freedom, recalling that its founder, Ziaur Rahman, restored multi-party politics from Baksal-era one-party rule and reopened all newspapers shut by the Awami League.
He added that Khaleda Zia also took significant steps to expand media freedom, and that BNP’s 31-point programme includes a firm commitment to full and independent press freedom.
At the beginning of his speech, Fakhrul asked for prayers for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who remains critically ill in hospital.
“Doctors are doing everything they can. Please pray for her recovery,” he said.
Addressing the programme, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said unity remains the biggest strength for journalists during difficult times.
“There is division within many journalist unions. Preserving unity can also help strengthen national unity,” he said.
called the interim government not to rush through two major laws, warning that such actions by an unelected administration could undermine the country’s democratic transition.
He said, “We have learned from credible sources that the interim government is trying to hurriedly finalise two laws-the revised Police Commission Ordinance 2025 and another law concerning NGOs.”
Mirza Fakhrul said BNP suspects there may be “other motives” behind the push to pass these laws right before the national election, which could hinder the democratic process.
He added that it would be inappropriate for a government without a public mandate to take such decisions.
“We believe these important laws should be debated thoroughly in the next elected Parliament. We call upon the government to refrain from proceeding in haste,” he said.
Meanwhile BNP Secretary General called the interim government not to rush through two major laws, warning that such actions by an unelected administration could undermine the country’s democratic transition.
He said, “We have learned from credible sources that the interim government is trying to hurriedly finalise two laws-the revised Police Commission Ordinance 2025 and another law concerning NGOs.”
Mirza Fakhrul said BNP suspects there may be “other motives” behind the push to pass these laws right before the national election, which could hinder the democratic process.
He added that it would be inappropriate for a government without a public mandate to take such decisions.
“We believe these important laws should be debated thoroughly in the next elected Parliament. We call upon the government to refrain from proceeding in haste,” he said.