Restore freedom of speech, press to save democracy: Moyeen

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said on Sunday, "To save democracy in the country we have to restore freedom of speech and press."  

Speaking at a discussion meeting at National Press Club organised by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) he said, "We fought against the Pakistanis in 1971 to establish democracy in the country now we are fighting to restore freedom of media in the country."
He said the government is responsible to ensure freedom of press in the country but they introduced different laws to confine the scope of reporting.

Moyeen said, "Press is the fourth pillar of a country. Some countries consider it as the prime pillar of the country because media is more powerful than state power."

He said, "Media is the mirror of society. It can play key role to change state power by disclosing irregularities of government and underscoring the demand of general people."

Moyeen said the sooner the Awami League government realises the fact the better it will be for them.

Mentioning that, BNP founder Ziaur Rahman laid the foundation stone of National Press Club and establish freedom of press in the country he said, "Today Awami League addressed him as a soldier. If a soldier can establish freedom of press in the country why can a party like Awami League do it too?"

BFUJ President Ruhul Amin Gazi said, 60 journalists were murdered in the country in last 15 years. Still we cannot ensure trial of Sagar-Runi murder. Publications of more than 500 newspapers were shut down. If any reporter writes against any leader of the government he has to face brutal torture. Many journalists left the country."

He said, "If we want to save democracy and freedom of the country we have to establish freedom of press again."
 
Among others BFUJ General Secretary and Bangladesh Sammilit Peshaji Parishad member Secretary Quader Gani Chowdhury, DUJ President Shahidul Islam, General Secretary Khurshid Alam and leaders of the two organizations also speak at the programme.