State Minister for Information Yasser Khan Chowdhury has warned of taking strict action against journalists who legitimized disappearances, murders, vote rigging and genocide in the name of freedom of media. He said that no one is above the law if he works to destroy democracy. Be it a journalist, a politician or a businessman.
He said this in response to a supplementary question by Member of Parliament Hasnat Abdullah on the first day of the budget session in the National Parliament on Sunday (June 7).
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram presided over the discussion in the second session of the 13th National Parliament which started at 3 pm.
Speaking on the floor of the Parliament, Hasnat Abdullah said that many professional journalists have worked diligently in the past 17 years. But during the time of Awami League, some famous journalists have produced consent for disappearances, murders, vote theft, bank robberies and genocide. What does the government think about them?
He complained that those who are in the government today, especially the Prime Minister, have been called traitors and conspirators by those journalists. A few houses including Bashundhara Group's East West Media have created public opinion in favor of the killing of BNP-Jamaat leaders. But those journalists are now being rehabilitated in different houses. And journalists in favor of the July coup are being kicked out of the channel.
By example, he also said that time has been taken over by TV. The Chhatra League beat the Chhatra Dal by announcing on the mic in Noakhali yesterday, and some talkies celebrated it. Is the government taking any action against these media and journalists?
In response to Hasnat Abdullah's lengthy question, the Minister of State for Information jokingly said, asked one question, or how many, we have lost track.
Then he clarified that there is freedom of media in the country. But according to existing laws, those who work against democracy, work for terrorism, are not above the law. Stating zero tolerance for criminals, the state minister said, no one is above the law, be it a criminal journalist, politician, businessman or employee. This government formed under the leadership of BNP and under the Prime Minister must take action according to the existing law.
