Going after editors is their old practice

Reacting to the prime minister's Monday's speech blasting editors of two top newspapers, BNP leader Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed yesterday said going after editors is an old habit of the Awami League.

"Going after editors is their old practice, a Bakshali [era of Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League] habit. They are now planning to shut down newspapers like they did earlier," the BNP vice-chairman said at a discussion on International Mother Language Day.

Swadhinata Forum organised the discussion titled "Glorious Ekushey's Ideology in Today's Perspective" at the Jatiya Press Club.

After the Awami League government introduced Bakshal government in 1975, Newspaper Ordinance was promulgated under which the declarations of all but four newspapers -- Dainik Bangla, Bangladesh Observer, Ittefaq and Bangladesh Times -- were annulled.

"During the 2007-08 caretaker government regime, almost all the media outlets ran stories on Sheikh Hasina and other leaders. But only one freedom fighter editor has admitted his mistake. No one else did so. Now he is being vilified unjustly," Hafizuddin added.

Mentioning names of several Awami League leaders, the BNP leader pointed out that many AL leaders made far more defamatory comments in mass media during 2007-08.

"The prime minister didn't say anything about these individuals who made such remarks on her and her party when she lambasted The Daily Star editor yesterday," he said.

Until yesterday, 79 lawsuits, including 17 sedition pleas and 62 defamation suits, were filed in 53 districts against The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam.

Meanwhile, BNP Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed said there is no freedom of expression in the country. Rizvi said an editor has to go to jail if he talks about freedom of the media.

"It seems that the Awami League is ruling the country imposing undeclared curfew," Rizvi told a briefing at the party's Nayapaltan headquarters.  

He said cases are being filed on charges of subversive activities if anyone talks about democracy, and police fire shots if any opposition party brings out processions or holds rallies.