Desk News: 

Information and Broadcasting Advisor Md. Mahfuz Alam said, "We will soon investigate the media outlets that were licensed during the Awami League era. When and how they were approved, and whether they took a stand against the people of Bangladesh and created fake journalists based on this approval will be investigated."

He made these remarks at a seminar titled 'Murder and Oppression of Journalists during Fascist Regimes' organized at the meeting room of the Film and Publication Department at the Information Building in the capital on Monday. The seminar was organized by the Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2025.

In the speech of the chief guest, the information advisor said, "We don't want you (journalists) to write in favor of this government (interim government). Ask the government questions. I personally think that if you ask the government questions, the government does more work, the government plays a more responsible role. Everyone should have the right and courage to ask these questions. Let journalists say that the government will behave more responsibly. But asking questions from a professional position is one thing, and using journalism as propaganda for a party's ideology is another."

He said, some newspapers do not write about the July coup, they write about the July movement. They do not say the government of the July mass coup, they say the change of power. This is the Indian narrative. Those who mean there was a conspiracy here, Hasina has been overthrown. No media can do this, if it has even the slightest bit of morality. But we have not closed this media. We will not do anything. The people will look after you. The families of the martyrs will look after you.

He further said, it is unfair to compare the two regimes of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (72-75) and Sheikh Hasina (2009-2024) with any other regime in Bangladesh. The way Sheikh Mujib, minus Tajuddin Ahmed, handed over the party and the state to his family, his daughter followed suit. I think this is a completely unique incident in Bangladesh. A family has destroyed a party.

Mahfuz Alam said, when we come to the issue of Awami League trial and banning the party, then the grassroots workers of Awami League should ask why he is a fugitive? Sheikh Hasina and the Sheikh family are responsible for this. Most of the Sheikh family members fled the country before August 5. Sheikh Hasina was the last person to flee from the Sheikh family. A family destroyed a party.

The keynote address was delivered by Muhammad Abdullah, Managing Director of Bangladesh Journalists Welfare Trust. National Media Reform Commission Chief Kamal Ahmed and Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary Mahbuba Farzana were present as special guests.  

The present panelists were Dr. Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Dainik Amar Desh, Abul Asad, former editor of Dainik Sangram, Shafiq Rehman, editor of Dainik Jay Jay Din, Ekramul Haque, editor of Top News, Obaidur Rahman Shaheen, acting president of BFUZ, Khairul Bashar, vice-president of BFUZ, and Shaheen Hasnat, member of BFUZ.

Also present were Farhana Islam Popi, wife of journalist Hasan Mehdi, who was martyred in the July Uprising, Shamchi Ara Zaman, mother of martyred journalist Priyo, persecuted journalist Akhtaruzzaman, and Monira Begum, wife of slain Golam Rabbani Nadim, Jamalpur correspondent of Banglanews24.com.