Media freedom vital for democracy: Rizvi

BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said there is no alternative to media freedom for developing and strengthening democracy and ensuring the rule of law.

“If the media maintain objectivity, crime and bribery will certainly come down in society, making it much better,” he said while addressing a programme marking the 31st founding anniversary of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) as the chief guest.

Mentioning his close relationship with DRU over many years, the senior BNP leader said, “Whenever there was no place to seek shelter during many difficult times, I regarded the DRU as a place of refuge.”

Despite many television channels coming on air and newspapers being published over the past 17 years, only one individual and one political party had the opportunity to speak and express opinions, he said. “Those who tried to speak beyond that were either subjected to enforced disappearance or forced to remain in jail.”

Referring to the July mass uprising, Rizvi said it was difficult to say what the situation would have been had the uprising not taken place.

“Media outlets, talk shows, talk-show hosts and social media were controlled in various ways. Even under such circumstances, grassroots journalists kept the light of democracy alive to some extent,” he said.

Urging the media to verify the truth before publishing any news, the BNP leader said journalists must have the courage to publish the truth despite all risks.

He further said that, like the administration and judiciary, the media should also play an independent and impartial role under a democratic government to ensure the rule of law.

Rizvi said many journalists had put their lives at risk while collecting news during the anti-fascist movement. Some lost their lives, while others suffered permanent disabilities, he said.

“The noble profession of journalism must be further dignified through such courageous work despite risks to life,” he added.