Mahfuz Alam, Adviser to the Interim Government on Information and Broadcasting, has alleged that after the mass uprising on August 5, BNP and Jamaat divided the administration among themselves and took control. He also claimed that the media is still working to safeguard the interests of businessmen, which goes against the national interest.
Speaking on Sunday at a roundtable titled “Self-Regulation of Media and Complaint Management” at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, he made these remarks.
Mahfuz Alam said that without goodwill and consensus among political parties, it is not possible to run the media in the interest of the nation. He further added that unless the civil-military bureaucracy is freed from fascist control, the media too cannot be freed from fascism.
Referring to the London meeting between BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman and the Chief Adviser, he said that since that meeting, the country’s political landscape has become one-sided. He also mentioned that rumors of student advisers’ resignation slowed down their work in ministries.
The adviser said the government may have to leave at any time. However, he assured that a Journalist Protection Law will definitely be enacted. He alleged that bureaucrats have deliberately slowed down administrative activities, waiting for the next government.
Citing an example, he said, “Sheikh Hasina promised rice at Tk 10 per kg, and for that, a secretary stockpiled rice for six months.