‘Intellectual fascism’ must face social boycott

Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman has called for a social boycott of individuals and media outlets that support or promote what he described as “intellectual fascism.”

Speaking at a weekly government briefing at the Press Information Department in the Bangladesh Secretariat, he said such practices should be socially condemned.

The minister also said the government has no intention of restricting press freedom and urged the media to provide objective criticism of government policies.

He further said the government wants people facing cases over past crimes, including those related to the July uprising, to be brought back to Bangladesh to face justice.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury said government media outlets, including BTV, had been instructed to provide proportionate coverage of opposition parties.

The government is also taking steps to curb false newspaper circulation figures and has sought to increase financial support for the welfare of journalists.