No alternative to media freedom to strengthen democracy: Rizvi

BNP acting secretary general and Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Thursday that there is no alternative to media freedom for developing and strengthening democracy and ensuring the rule of law.

“If the media publishes objective news, crime and bribery will decline in society, making it a cleaner place,” he said.

Rizvi made the remarks while addressing a programme marking the 31st founding anniversary of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) as the chief guest.

He said he had a long-standing close relationship with the DRU and had regarded it as a place of refuge at times when he had nowhere else to go.

The BNP leader said that although there were many television channels and newspapers over the past 17 years, only one person and one political party had enjoyed the opportunity to speak and express opinions.

“Those who tried to speak beyond them were either subjected to enforced disappearance or forced to remain in prison,” he said.

Referring to the July mass uprising, Rizvi said it was difficult to imagine how much worse the situation could have become had it not taken place.

“Media outlets, talk shows, talk-show hosts and social media were controlled in various ways. Even amid this, field-level journalists kept the light of democracy burning to some extent,” he said.

He said the media must publish the truth after thorough verification and scrutiny and journalists should be prepared to take risks, even at the cost of their lives, in doing so.

He said just as the administration and courts must work impartially to ensure the rule of law, the media must also work impartially under a democratic government.

Rizvi said many journalists had risked their lives while collecting news, with some becoming disabled and others losing their lives.

“The noble profession of journalism must be further dignified through their willingness to work despite the risks to their lives,” he said.