Senior leaders of the Awami League on Wednesday told the media that anyone mixing journalism with conspiracy would face the music.
They said this pointing to the arrest of Prothom Alo journalist Shamsuzzaman in a case filed under the Digital Security Act (DSA).
Party General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul, while exchanging views with journalists at the Secretariat, said that the photo story was made by giving Tk10 to a child and it was published, which went viral.
"This is yellow journalism. Now yellow journalism is on the rise. Politically motivated and biased news items are being released, which go against the government. This is yellow journalism. Yellow journalism should be prevented," he was quoted as saying by BSS.
Commenting on the arrest of Shamsuzzaman, ruling party Presidium Member Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak said that nobody will be spared if any kind of conspiracy gets involved with journalism.
"I urge all to stand against those who do ill-journalism in the country. Nobody will be spared if any kind of conspiracy is included in journalism," he said while speaking at a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club organized by the Bangladesh Mohila Awami League to protest the false and fabricated report of the daily Prothom Alo, reported BSS.
Nanak said:"On the great Independence Day of the country, the news was published (in daily Prothom Alo) naming Sabuj as Zakir. What is the reason behind this? What is the purpose of this kind of news? This newspaper is always conspiring against the beloved leader Sheikh Hasina and the progress of Bangladesh."
Urging all to maintain morality while pursuing journalism, he said no exemption will be given if any kind of unprofessionalism is found with journalism.
Earlier in the day, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said police arrested Prothom Alo journalist Shamsuzzaman after a case was filed against him by the offended people.
"If someone is aggrieved and wants justice, files a case with police station, police can take action accordingly. So far I know, a case was filed," he replied to journalists after a question.
Kamal, said that the law proceeds at its own pace and everything, including the state, moves according to the law.
He addressed a cheque distribution ceremony at his ministry's conference room.
He said the Prothom Alo published a report on the Independence and National Day and the journalist of Prothom Alo did not do the right thing. "The news was broadcast by you (journalists) through the Ekattor Television and proved that the news published by Prothom Alo was baseless, false and motivated," the minister was quoted as saying by BSS.
Referring to the tremendous development of the country, he said, "We have progressed so far. If someone gives such fake news, then anyone can be hurt and feel offended. You may be (hurt) too. You must not accept this news."
The BNP on the other hand strongly denounced the detention of daily Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams by law enforcers, saying it is a dreadful incident.
Speaking at a press conference, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also warned that the government will only face losses without making political gains by arresting any journalist.
"A journalist of the daily Prothom Alo was taken away from his home by CID early today (Wednesday)... This is an awful incident," he said.
The BNP leader said Somoy Television aired a feature on Tuesday night that Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams made a report on March 26 to embarrass the government.
"But I don't understand what crime the journalist has committed... I strongly condemn the detention of Shasuzzaman Shams and demand his immediate and unconditional release," Fakhrul was quoted as saying by UNB.
He questioned as to how the journalist committed a crime by presenting the facts.
"It's being said the independence was denigrated by doing this (report) on March 26. If a person feels hungry on the day of independence, if he feels deprived, and if he gives that comment that what is the benefit of my country becoming independent? What crime has been committed, where is the crime here?"
He said people can raise any question about the benefit of independence when they do not get food to eat, when they are subjected to repression, suppression, and murder. "It doesn't mean that he is against independence."
The BNP leader also questioned the justification of the detention of Shasuzzaman for making a report with public opinion.
The press conference was held at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office to inform the media about the decisions of the party standing committee's virtual meeting held on Tuesday.
