On Friday (August 7), he said these things in his speech as the chief guest at a seminar titled ‘Role of Media in Sustainable Democracy’ organized by the Television Editors' Council at Hotel Holiday Inn in the capital.
Mirza Fakhrul said the previous government did not conduct a single gas exploration and fully built an import-dependent energy system. The entire electricity sector was destroyed through quick rental power plants. The banking sector has also collapsed—the government now has to face tough challenges to fix them.
Regarding democracy and the media, he said democracy is essentially a culture. Unless it is reflected in our thoughts, consciousness and behavior, sustainable democracy cannot be established. He emphasized maintaining tolerance in the country and said, along with criticism of the government, they must also be given time to work. The media must become financially self-reliant and their institutional framework must be strengthened.
The main discussant at the seminar was Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, and the special guest was Deputy Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury.
During the keynote presentation, Mostofa Akmal, chief news editor of Independent Television, said democracy is not limited only to the right to vote; rather, its durability depends on ensuring accountability of power and protecting citizens' right to know the truth without fear. He alleged that over the past decade and a half, the country's media could not work independently due to political pressure, application of the Digital Security Act and surveillance.
He further said the media should be considered not as the mouthpiece of the government, but as a partner in building a democratic state. To ensure impartial journalism, he called for editorial independence, free flow of information and coordinated national steps to prevent fake news and disinformation.
At the seminar, Jamuna Television's Head of News Touhidul Islam, NTV's Chief News Editor Kanchan, M TV's Chief Editor Mahmud Al Hasan, Mohona Television's News Editor Rashedul Haque, Star Television's CEO Moqsedul Karim Babu, Ekhon Television's CEO Akhtaruzzaman Babu, Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, and Daily Wader editor and former press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government Shafiqul Alam also spoke.
