Cox’s Bazar Correspondent
If the media fails to maintain its strong voice, democracy is destroyed and those in power become fascists, said Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General and newly appointed Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Managing Director Kader Gani Chowdhury.
“Due to the silence of the media, journalists becoming party sycophants and editors helplessly surrendering in the past, Hasina turned from an autocrat into a full-fledged fascist,” he said.
Kader Gani Chowdhury made the remarks as the chief speaker at the annual general meeting of the Cox’s Bazar Journalists’ Union at the Cox’s Bazar Press Club hall on Saturday afternoon.
He said the government must ensure that journalists do not face obstacles while carrying out their professional duties.
“We do not want to hear threats such as, ‘You will write and we will beat you,’ under a democratic government,” he said.
BFUJ President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen attended the meeting as the chief guest.
The meeting was chaired by Journalists’ Union President Nurul Islam Helali and moderated by its General Secretary S M Zafar.
Cox’s Bazar Press Club President Mahabubur Rahman, General Secretary Momtaz Uddin Bahari, Journalists’ Union Vice-President M.R Mahabub, Treasurer Ikram Chowdhury Tipu and other leaders of the union also spoke at the meeting. #EK
