Govt out to gag mass media: BNP
Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday alleged that the government is trying to cage the mass media by formulating new laws and policies in the name of making the media accountable and responsible.
"The government is going to formulate new laws and policies in the name of ensuring accountability of newspapers, news agencies, online portals, televisions and radios. We think the government is out to cage the mass media by formulating various laws and polices," said BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
He came up with the allegation at a press briefing at BNP's Nayapaltan central office.
Referring to media reports, Rizvi said the government is also going to make new laws to have authority to shut down any television channel if it wants. "The government is trying to make the mass media its publicity tools like that of Baksal rule in a different style."
He urged the government to shun the vicious path of controlling the media.
Meanwhile, the cabinet on Monday approved the draft 'The National Broadcasting Policy 2014' in bid to ensure social responsibility of the mass media and make the mass media responsible.
Rizvi came down hard on the government for what he said its growing repressive acts.
"The Awami League-government has swooped on people with its all might and strength. The state will lose its all strength if such regime lasts for long. A strong mass movement is the only treatment of the current unethical and regime," he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government getting unnerved with their movement threat is arresting opposition leaders and activists across the country as part of its move to foil it.
He also alleged that the government is not releasing BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain although he got bail from the High Court.
Expressing solidarity with the demands of Tuba Group workers, the BNP leader demanded the authorities concerned immediately pay their outstanding salaries and dues.
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