Shafiqul urges constructive criticism of the government instead of mere praise
He stressed the need to prevent the creation of a fascist narrative and avoid blind loyalty to any political party.
Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government, has urged journalists to prioritize constructive criticism over praise.
“We want you to highlight every issue. There is no need for praise,” he stated during a discussion titled "The Fascist Statement of the Mass Media: Looking Back on July 1-36," organized under the banner "We Want a Fascist-Free Mass Media" at Jahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club on Sunday.
Referring to media coverage, Shafiqul Alam noted, “A few days ago, I saw a leading newspaper publish two or three articles praising Professor Yunus. We reached out and told them—this is unnecessary. Instead, focus on constructive criticism. This is a critical time for journalism in Bangladesh. We want to rebuild the nation, and to achieve that, the second phase of the interim government began yesterday (Saturday) with the launch of the Consensus Commission. We want all political parties and civil society to be part of this effort.”
He stressed the need to prevent the rise of a fascist narrative and cautioned against blind allegiance to any political party.
"Leaders are being killed while their supporters remain loyal. This kind of political culture must end. We need to build a country where everyone’s voice is heard, where no one feels silenced as they have for the past 15 years," he said.
Acknowledging the challenges journalism has faced, he called for a fresh start. “Journalism has gone through a difficult period. We must move forward and create a Bangladesh where diverse perspectives are valued. We welcome criticism, but it must be fact-based. Our goal is to pave the way for reconciliation and build a just society.”
Shafiqul Alam also urged the media not to overlook significant historical events and past failures. “We failed to document the 1974 famine. We failed to report on the atrocities of the Rakshi Bahini. We cannot afford to make the same mistakes again. Future generations should not face the same struggles we did. No journalist should serve as a power broker. This government seeks to set a new precedent. If we make mistakes, expose them. That is the true role of journalism.”
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