BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticized the state of the media in Bangladesh during a seminar on the Media Reform Report, organized by the Broadcast Journalists Centre (BJC), held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital on Monday (November 24).
Alamgir asserted that the media's independence is compromised because journalists themselves have allowed divisions ("split") within their own bodies, leading them to "enter the pockets of the politicians."
He highlighted the multitude of journalist unions, such as BFUJ and DRU, noting their internal splits into "two parts, three-part," which makes them vulnerable to political influence. He warned journalists against becoming tools of political parties.
He reiterated the BNP's commitment, articulated through their 31-point demand/program, to establish and ensure an independent media.
He confirmed the party's promise to form a commission to address media reform. He expressed hope that if the BNP is entrusted with the responsibility of forming the government through public vote, media independence and the establishment of this commission would be prioritized.
