‘DSA, repressive laws will go if BNP returns to power’

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday categorically said their party, if returns to power, will revoke all ‘repressive’ acts and ordinances, including the Digital Security Act (DSA).

Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with journalists, he also said their party will ensure the implementation of the Wage Board for journalists and media employees and empower the Press Council if their party forms government in the days to come.

“We would like to clearly say that if we form the government, all the repressive acts and ordinances those are obstacles to the independence of the media will be annulled,” the BNP leader said. BNP arranged the programme titled, ‘Media Control Laws in Annihilating the Media: Bangladesh Perspective’ at the Jatiya Press Club. Former BNP MP and its executive committee member Jahiruddin Swapan presented the keynote paper.

Fakhrul said their party believes that it is not possible to give democracy an international shape without the independence of the media. “BNP has been working towards that goal since the rule of late President Ziaur Rahman.”

He said the current government has enacted various laws, including the DSA. “These laws are like putting a nail in the coffin of media freedom.”

The BNP leader said regulating the media is probably now one of the biggest problems in the world, especially in Bangladesh. “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence, we are saddened to see that the media is being completely controlled.” Those who want to write freely and express their opinions freely, can’t do it now. Moreover, they’re being subjected to different types of repressions and threats and they are facing obstacles to performing their professional duties.”