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Several journalists had deliberately spread misinformation, he said
TBS report
November 7, 2024, 8:00 PM
Last modified: November 7, 2024, 8:08 PM
Press Secretary to Chief Advisor Shafiqul Alam speaks at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy on November 7, 2024. Photo: PID
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Press Secretary to Chief Advisor Shafiqul Alam speaks at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy on November 7, 2024. Photo: PID
The interim government is fully committed to press freedom and will not tolerate any attack on any newspaper, Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, said today (Nov 7).
At a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, he also said several journalists had deliberately spread misinformation, adding: “We are not taking any action against them. We are fully committed to press freedom.”
The press secretary said that not a single newspaper, television or news website has been closed since the formation of the interim government.
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He claimed: “We will not tolerate any attack on any newspaper.”
Shafiqul Alam also stated that no media outlet has received calls from intelligence agencies regarding any news during the interim government’s tenure.
“We have not told any media to delete or publish any news. We didn’t say you can’t discuss it on a talk show or assign it as an assignment,” he added.
Shafiqul Alam said that intelligence agencies had the habit of calling media for the past 15 years and said: “If we thought something was wrong, we would politely and humbly say that this news was wrong, please check it.”
When asked about the recent withdrawal of accreditation for some journalists, he said: “The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has done this. They must have had a reason for that. Over the past fifteen years, many journalists have been the voice of authoritarianism.
“They have created a basis for oppressing others. Many journalists have incited violence. These must be investigated.”
The press secretary further said, “We are not doing anything to restrict press freedom. Many newspapers and television channels have supported authoritarianism. We are not saying anything to them. Everyone wants press freedom and institutionalization of media in Bangladesh.”
Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Apurba Jahangir were also present at the conference.
Out of deep concern, the Editorial Board recently said that press freedom in the country continues to be under attack from certain sections of society, despite the interim government’s promises to uphold it.
Some of the country’s top print media agencies have faced threats of assault and siege, according to a press release from council chairman Mahfuz Anam and secretary general Dewan Hanif Mahmud.
Replying to a question, Deputy Press Secretary Azad said the government has seen the Editorial Board’s statement and has assessed it.
He said the government is seriously looking into the issues and is committed to doing whatever is necessary if anyone faces a problem.
The press secretary said that the government will prepare a documentation on the expenditure of public and private money in the name of “Mujib Borsho” to find out how much money has been wasted.
A decision has been made in this regard, he said while briefing the gathering on the outcome of the Advisory Council meeting chaired by Chief Advisor Prof. Muhammad Yunus.