Govt trying to snatch freedom of press: Khaleda

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Sunday alleged that the government is trying to snatch the freedom of press by making ‘black laws like ICT Act, broadcasting policy and online media policy’.

Speaking at a programme of a group of journalists at the Supreme Court Bar Association auditorium, she also alleged that the regime is also trying to shut down the online newspapers that criticises Awami League by making the registration of those mandatory.

“The government is snatching the freedom of mass media alongside endangering the security of journalists by making the ICT Act, National Broadcasting Policy and the Online Media Policy,” Khaleda said.

She alleged that though editors strongly protested the move, the government is not taking it into its consideration.

The BNP chief also alleged that the government is harassing the editors who raised their voice against the ‘black laws’.

Khaleda said the government started suppressing the media after it had assumed office in 2009 and it has been intensified since the January-5 polls.

She said the mass media are facing government wraths for criticising its misrule. “Amar Desh, Channel 1, Diganta TV and Islamic TV have been shutdown for presenting the government’s misdeeds.”

The BNP chief also alleged that ruling party men have grabbed ETV through deception by keeping its owner in jail.

Khaleda came down hard on the government for keeping the Fcebook blocked for over three weeks, and urged it to reopen all the closed media outlets and release all the arrested journalists.

Terming the current regime the ‘worst autocratic one’, she said it has annihilated democracy and exiled the rule of law.

“All the basic and human rights of people have been snatched. Even people do not have the right of expression. There’s no justice in any where of the country as the government has established a reign of terror by resorting to killings, enforced disappearances and other repressive acts.”