BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today addressed the inaugural ceremony of the multimedia platform of Dainik Barta at Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall of the Jatiya Press Club. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Sept 27, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said the media outlets that act as agents of fascism during the Awami League regime in the last 16 years have no right to operate.

“In a democratic state, press freedom is essential. But for the past 16–17 years, a fascist regime had suppressed dissenting voices. The media that defended disappearances and killings and served fascism has no right to survive anymore,” he said.

Rizvi made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the multimedia platform of Dainik Barta at Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital.

Accusing the Awami League government of curbing press freedom, Rizvi said it controlled the media to cover up enforced disappearances and killings and branded dissenters as extremists to suppress them.

“Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had even ordered for air raids from helicopters to quell protests, while even her security adviser had suggested killing demonstrators,” he said.

Rizvi said media that collaborated with fascist regimes in Mussolini’s Italy or Nazi Germany could not survive after the Second World War and “likewise, Bangladesh does not need media that whitewashes anti-democratic forces”.

Commenting on Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, the BNP leader said, “It is not baseless to suspect that the ballot papers were printed in Nilkhet”.

“The chief returning officer (of DUCU polls) is speaking in the language of the Awami League. This is degrading to the university’s dignity,” he said urging the media to unearth the truth instead of “praising the rulers”.

He extended best wishes to Editor Mahmud Anwar and others, expressing hope that Dainik Barta would emerge as the voice of democratic movements.