BNP committed to ensuring full media freedom: Salahuddin Ahmed
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed today said his party is committed to ensuring complete freedom of the media, as outlined in BNP's 31-point reform agenda. He said BNP has pledged to form a separate media reform commission and will take necessary measures based on the recommendations of all reform reports. Noting that a media reform commission has already been formed, Salahuddin Ahmed said BNP would also review the proposals submitted by that commission.
He made the remarks while speaking at a "Meet the Press" programme with journalists of Chakaria-Pekua at the Royal Palace Community Center in Chakaria on Wednesday. Salahuddin said democracy and democratic institutions are strengthened in countries where media freedom is ensured. Referring to the digital transformation of the world, he said information now spreads globally within moments.
He stressed that the role of the media is crucial in strengthening the democratic system. An open media environment in Bangladesh was created by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia after 1991, he said, adding that since then electronic media expanded unhindered, creating unlimited opportunities and contributing to media development. However, he alleged that over the last 16-17 years the media has become partisan, which has weakened the country's democratic structure.
Salahuddin further said the media's primary responsibility should be to protect the country's independence, sovereignty and democracy. Addressing journalists, he said, "What I always tell journalist friends and media owners is that journalists should serve the country with their conscience rather than the owners." Among others present at the programme were Chakaria Upazila BNP President Enamul Haque, General Secretary M Mobarak Ali, Journalists Union Cox's Bazar President Nurul Islam Helali, Cox's Bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman, and Journalists Union Cox's Bazar General Secretary SM Zafar.
