Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated today that the media is enjoying full freedom under the interim government in Bangladesh, as the administration strongly supports complete journalistic freedom.
"We have not prevented anyone from criticizing the government. In the history of Bangladesh, the press has never experienced this level of freedom before," Alam said during a discussion on "The Role of Media in Building New Bangladesh" hosted by MASTUL Foundation, a non-profit charity, at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
As the chief guest, Alam expressed his vision for a Bangladesh where journalists are not harmed while performing their duties. He highlighted that the responsibility for journalist safety lies not only with the government and security agencies but also with media owners who often fail to provide necessary protective equipment for their journalists. He noted that photographers and video journalists risk their lives while reporting in hostile or dangerous conditions.
Alam criticized the previous ousted fascist government, accusing it of silencing journalists to maintain its grip on power and claiming that some journalists acted as intermediaries for the former regime. Despite this, Alam asserted that the interim government is committed to restoring full freedom of speech and press without restricting anyone's rights.
He emphasized that the government has never intervened in media ownership decisions or pressured anyone to dismiss journalists or retract news stories. Addressing recent concerns over cases filed against journalists, Alam clarified that the interim government has not filed any such cases. Additionally, while over 5,000 press accreditation cards were issued, only 169 have been revoked—though the government is currently reviewing this matter.
Responding to suggestions that the country has reverted to its old patterns, Alam dismissed such views, stating, "Some people don’t truly understand what freedom is because they spent their lives as brokers. It has been erased from their DNA."
Alam reaffirmed the government’s belief in full journalistic freedom, stating that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus had invited editors to openly critique the interim government’s mistakes during a recent meeting. He said, "Over the last four months, we have not stopped anyone from reporting against us. You are free to write."
The press secretary commended the role of media in helping the government maintain perspective and encouraged journalists to practice ethical reporting that informs citizens, fosters societal progress, and avoids harm. In this context, Alam highlighted the government’s initiative to establish a media commission as part of efforts to strengthen the journalistic profession.
Alam also touched on the issue of financial challenges faced by many journalists. He noted that the wage board for journalists has remained stagnant for years, and many enter the profession earning between Taka 5,000 and Taka 10,000—far below the wages of garment workers. He called on media owners to ensure fair compensation for their employees, stating that if they cannot afford to pay fair wages, they should not establish media outlets.
"We are working to institutionalize journalism in Bangladesh to ensure that media owners cannot hinder the freedom of journalists," he concluded.
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