Shafiqur urges media to cover both PM, opposition views

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman has urged the media to give space to the views of both the prime minister and the opposition.

“Why don’t you interview the prime minister? His views need to be heard by the nation, and so do ours,” he said.

Shafiqur made the remarks at a meeting with journalists covering Jamaat at Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, Dhaka, on Wednesday.

He said both domestic and international audiences were interested in Bangladesh’s situation and the opposition’s views, making it important for the media to present statements from both the government and opposition.

“The prime minister’s views should be heard first because he is now responsible for running the state,” he said.

Referring to questions from journalists about interviews, Shafiqur said he would speak to the media when necessary, while maintaining a balance in the number of interviews he gives.

He said the country belonged neither to the ruling party nor the opposition, adding that the wellbeing of the country was in everyone’s interest.

He urged political parties and the media to place national interests above partisan interests and play a responsible role in protecting people’s rights.

Describing the media as an important pillar of the state, he said responsible journalism could help the legislature, executive and judiciary perform their duties properly.

Shafiqur also called for fair and fact-based coverage of political programmes launched over public demands, rather than treating them merely as partisan campaigns.

“We are not campaigning for credit. We are campaigning to safeguard people’s rights,” he said.

He also stressed the need for stronger communication between political parties and the media, saying Jamaat’s media wing would take steps to ensure journalists receive timely information about important programmes.

He called for independent and responsible journalism, saying facts should be presented as facts and that one-sided narratives about individuals or governments were not beneficial to society.