Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged journalists to publish accurate reports about the positive activities of the government.
"We don't want mercy and favour from anyone, but we at least can request that if we do any positive work for the country, it should be published in an accurate manner, not for me or my party, but in the interest of the country," she said.
The premier made the remarks while addressing a representative council of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) at National Press Club in Dhaka.
She urged the journalists to bring into the limelight the activities taken by her government for development and welfare of the country and its people. "This should be done as we don't want to remain dependent on others; we want to live with dignity and hold our heads high, as we are a victorious nation."
Talking about the recently-launched Bangabandhu-1 satellite, Hasina said Bangladesh was the 57th country in history to successfully send a modern satellite into orbit, which has enhanced the country’s reputation at the international level.
‘Zia presented curfew democracy’
The prime minister criticized BNP for making unguarded remarks about the satellite, calling on the people to “imagine how those who have no common sense about the benefits of a satellite could develop the country.”
“BNP talks about democracy and free, fair, and neutral elections, but it is Ziaur Rahman [late president and BNP founder], who started the process of vote rigging in the country. Grabbing state power, he presented 'curfew democracy’, not people’s democracy."
Referring to the February 15, 1996 election that was held during the BNP-led government amid a boycott by then opposition Awami League, she said those who played games with people’s right to vote were now busy delivering speeches on democracy and fair polls.
‘No questionable election during our tenure’
Awami League does politics for the people and it established their voting rights, she claimed.
"Elections to some 6,000 local government bodies were held during the tenure of our government. But no one could raise any question over those elections because we didn't interfere in them. Exercising franchise is the people’s right. If they vote for us, we'll remain there in power."
‘There are two newspapers that I don’t read’
Mentioning that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had been involved in journalism for some time during his student life, she said. "So, you [journalists] can consider me as a member of your family."
She slammed the media outlets that “refrained from running reports on misdeeds” of the BNP-led government from 2001 to 2006.
“You all know there are two newspapers that I don’t read. They are barred from entering the Ganabhaban [official residence of the prime minister],” she said, without naming them.
“I don’t even need to read those newspapers, because they don’t work for the country’s welfare.”
The premier criticised those who are say there is no freedom of press in Bangladesh: "If there's no freedom of press, how they can speak in television talk-shows and write in newspapers."
She said she receives a report on the media every 15 days, which shows that the number of news reports criticising the government is much higher than that of positive ones.
‘Civil society members always seeking to come to power’
Slating the civil society members, Hasina said: “There are some people who don’t even have the capacity to form a political party and contest elections, but are always seeking to come to power.
“Their importance shoots up when anyone grabs the state power, or a state of emergency is declared, or a military ruler takes over charge of the country. Despite being educated and wise, they are always out there to work with such ill motives. This is a misfortune of this country.”
Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Prime Minister's Information Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, and State Minister for Information Tarana Halim also spoke at the event.
Chaired by BFUJ President Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, the event was moderated by its secretary general Omor Faruk Chowdhury.
