Media have become business-driven entities: Fakhrul

Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed concern over the growing commercialization of the media, saying that many media outlets have become business-driven entities rather than independent platforms for journalism.

He made the remarks on Sunday while speaking at a discussion meeting organized at the National Press Club to mark the martyrdom anniversary of Ziaur Rahman. Information Minister Jahir Uddin Swapan attended the event as a special guest.

“Today, the media faces enormous challenges. The biggest problem is that the media is no longer truly media; it has become a representative of business houses,” Fakhrul said. “One can clearly see what sycophancy looks like by observing certain sections of the media. We witnessed during the last regime how such practices flourished. We hope that journalists, having fought against these tendencies, will now use this opportunity positively. We stand by your side.”

Fakhrul also highlighted the contributions of former President Ziaur Rahman, stating that he worked for the development of every sector of the state, promoted the concept of Bangladeshi nationalism, and helped institutionalize democracy as an effective system of governance.

“If Ziaur Rahman had lived another ten years, Bangladesh would have progressed much further,” he said. “The Awami League portrayed him as a killer, whereas he was not only a statesman but also a national hero.”

Referring to Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul said that he sees the reflection of Ziaur Rahman in Tarique and expressed confidence that Bangladesh would continue to move forward under his leadership.

The discussion was chaired by Hasan Hafiz, President of the National Press Club. Among others, Kader Gani Chowdhury, journalist and poet Abdul Hai Sikder, and Abdul Momin addressed the gathering.