Editors' Council protests 'sweeping' allegations against media

The Editors' Council has protested what it called "sweeping and unwarranted" allegations made against the media during the National Youth Conference 2025, organised by Jatiya Juboshokti, the youth wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), to mark the International Youth Day.

"We categorically reject such sweeping remarks," the Council said in a press release on Wednesday, signed by its President Mahfuz Anam and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud.

The statement highlighted the crucial role of print media during last year's student-public uprising. Speakers at the Youth Conference had accused the media of "trying to tarnish the image of those involved in the mass uprising" and of acting "like the mouthpiece of intelligence agencies, as it did during Sheikh Hasina's autocratic rule."

The Council noted that editors and journalists faced various forms of persecution, harassment, and repression during 15 years of Awami League rule. Despite these challenges, the media courageously reported on killings, human rights violations by state forces, internet shutdowns, and other critical issues during the uprising.

"Most print media fearlessly presented the facts and played a significant role in shaping public opinion in favour of the uprising, often under severe threats and intimidation," the statement added.

Even in the post-uprising period, under the interim government led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, the council said, the print media continued to contribute constructively by promoting democracy, upholding the aspirations of the July uprising, and highlighting government shortcomings.

The Editors' Council called on all political parties to ensure that their statements are fact-based and responsibly made.

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