Accusing the government of trying to establish its control over the media, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday called upon journalists to put up a united resistance against it. “I urge the journalists to get united and create a strong resistance against the blueprint to put the independence of press at stake,” she said in a message. The message was issued marking the shutdown of all newspapers, except four ones, on June 16, 1975. Dhaka, UNB News Agency Reported.
“The June 16, 1975 is a black day in Bangladesh history as the then one-party Baksal government had closed all the newspapers, except four loyal to it,” the BNP chief said. She said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman later restored democracy and the freedom of press.
Khaleda said there is no alternative to ensuring the freedom of press for safeguarding democracy. ‘But, it’s a matter of regret that Awami League is following its old path and making all-out efforts to control the newspapers by oppressing journalists and dictating them.”The journalists have been performing their professional duties amid panic and anxiety in the country.
Khaleda said all must remain aware and continue their efforts to tackle the evil forces so that no one can repeat the ‘same dreadful’ incidents as happened on June 16, 1975.
