Chairperson Khaleda Zia has demanded the release of journalists arrested from the Bangla daily Inqilab headquarter.
The BNP chairperson also called the government to release journalists who were previously arrested for unlawful report publication.
Issuing a press release, Khaleda also demanded reopening of all the closed media outlets.
Condemning the arrest of three journalists of Inqilab and sealing off of its printing press following a “fabricated report” published in the newspaper, the former premier said: “Freedom of expression and freedom of press are democratic rights in a democratic society.”
The BNP chief alleged that such “heinous activities for repressing an opposition party” and its opinion were not a good sign for democracy.
She said: “People’s rights are being snatched during the ruling government’s regime in a fascist way.”
The Awami League government previously had shut down Bangla Daily Amar Desh and detained its editor Mahmudur Rahman. It also closed private television channels Channel 1, Diganta TV and Islami TV.”
Detectives on Thursday arrested Ahmmed Atiq, chief reporter of Inqilab, Rabiulla Ulla Robi, a news editor and Rafiq Mohammad, its deputy chief reporter.
A case was filed against publisher, editor, chief news editor and a reporter under the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006 with Wari police.
Reporter Atiq was arrested for the making of the news that claims the presence of Indian army personnel in Bangladesh territory while Robi and Rafiq for helping in the making, said police.
The government previously shut down Bangla newspaper the daily Amar Desh and detained its acting editor Mahmudur Rahman. It also closed private television channels Diganta Television, Islamic TV and Channel 1.
According to the government, Mahmudur was arrested on the specific allegations of lying, hacking and instigating religious fanaticism while Diganta Television and Islamic TV were shut down for broadcasting misleading information and news.