Many journalists broker for fortune, says Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stirred the room at the National Press Club on Saturday afternoon with a candid critique of modern journalism. 

Speaking at a discussion honouring the late journalist Mahfuz Ullah, recipient of the posthumous Ekushey Padak, Fakhrul didn’t hold back. “These days, many journalists—not all, but many—act as brokers to amass wealth. It’s not pleasant to say, but it must be said. They get houses and plots, while Mahfuz Ullah had nothing. His family had to depend on friends for his treatment.”

The event, organised to celebrate Mahfuz Ullah’s legacy, turned into a platform for reflection on journalism, democracy, and Bangladesh’s political journey. 

Fakhrul painted a vivid picture of Mahfuz Ullah’s dedication, recalling his tireless efforts before the 2018 elections. “After 2014, Mahfuz Ullah, alongside Mahbub Ullah and Zafrullah Bhai, worked relentlessly to unite political parties. Their efforts bridged the right and left—a rare feat. Mahfuz Ullah was a true believer in democracy and fought to uphold it.”

Fakhrul’s tone shifted to nostalgia as he traced his own political evolution. “Many of us from revolutionary politics once chanted slogans about eliminating class enemies. That was valid then. But over time, our thinking evolved, and we began collaborating across divides.” 

He credited recent changes to collective struggle. “Fascism has been uprooted—it fled through the movement. As Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury noted, political parties have fought for years, but it was the students and the public who finally made it possible.”

Amid this optimism, Fakhrul urged sincerity in rebuilding Bangladesh. “We can see the light of hope. Everyone talks of reconstruction, but it demands genuine commitment. Only then can we create a liveable country for future generations—and truly honour those like Mahfuz Ullah.”

Addressing the generational shift, he added, “We’re getting old. The youth are envisioning the nation anew, but we mustn’t forget past contributions. Their work is the foundation we build on.”

The discussion drew a notable crowd, including BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Mahfuz Ullah’s brother Mahbub Ullah, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, former Secretary Ismail Zabiullah, journalist Golam Mortuza, painter Rokeya Sultana, and Drik Gallery founder Shahidul Alam, among others.