FROM PAGE 16

the guise of journalism to promote fascism over the past 15-17 years. Mahmudur specifically called for the criminal trial of “murderer and instigator” journalists.

The NEC was formed on June 2 with veteran journalist Shafik Rehman as convener and Mahmudur as joint convener. The platform includes editors from several newspapers, such as Naya Diganta, Kaler Kantho, Jugantor, Protidiner Bangladesh, Sangram, New Nation, and Waadaa. The seminar was marked as the council’s inaugural event.

Speakers at the event recounted how the media was gagged during Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s BAKSAL era and Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League regime.

Shafiqul Alam, a council member and editor of Waadaa, said that all but four government-managed newspapers were shut down on June 16, 1975, to suppress news of 1.5 million deaths during the 1974 “man-made” famine.

Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Director General Faruk Wasif compared fascism to a “pathorkuchi” plant that can easily regenerate.

Several speakers also strongly criticised the Editors’ Council (Sampadak Parishad), labelling it an “elitist organisation”.

Mokarram Hossain, editor of The New Nation, expressed hope that NEC representatives would now receive the same regular access to the head of state and ministers as the Editors’ Council enjoys.

Elaborating on the proposed media commission, the information minister suggested it should be led by a former chief justice, taking cues from the previous Press Commission report headed by former prime minister Ataur Rahman Khan. He proposed that the commission could include representatives from the information and law ministries, the NEC, various journalist trade unions, and the Jatiya Press Club.

Calling for media unity to facilitate this process, the minister noted that while journalists naturally hold different philosophies and compete ideologically, they must unite for the prosperity of the country and humanity.

In response to the minister’s call for unity, Mahmudur set a strict condition in his closing remarks.

“We also want unity, but there is a precondition. Those who assisted in establishing fascism must go through self-purification. Furthermore, there is no scope to include those involved in murders or those who justified the July massacre. They must face criminal trials.”

Jugantor Editor Abdul Hye Sikder moderated the seminar. Other speakers included Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) President Obaidur Rahman Shahin, Naya Diganta Editor Salahuddin Babar, and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Shahidul Islam, along with editors and journalist leaders from various districts.