We welcome the interim government’s acknowledgment of the need for press freedom for any democratic nation.
Among the biggest criticisms of the previous Awami League regime was how it completely did away with any form of press freedom, instead relying on draconian laws such as the Digital Security Act (DSA) and later the Cyber Security Act (CSA) to deter journalists from speaking truth to power.
There is no questioning that the interim government is not only a firm believer in press freedom and is doing far more than merely offering words, another criticism of past regimes who have been all talk and less action.
Nowhere is this more prevalent than the recent decision to do away with the CSA; while there was earlier talk of merely amending the law, the fact that the interim government listened to the people and made the decision to scrap it altogether shows that this is an administration that has its ears open to the needs of the public, and is equally willing to make the decisions necessary.
With that said, we also expect all of the media world to take to heart Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam’s plea for responsible journalism. With disinformation and misinformation both at an all-time high, it is more important than ever before for media outlets to ensure that their journalism is unbiased and factual.
When there is the right climate for journalists to do their jobs without fear, and the right incentives for media outlets to do their jobs without external forces shaping the narrative, the entire nation benefits.
