BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday cautioned that social media has become a “major crisis” globally and in Bangladesh, alleging it is being weaponized to spread disinformation, smear opponents and “create mobs,” undermining the country’s democratic trajectory.
Speaking at the opening session of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists’ (BFUJ) Biennial Council 2025 at the National Press Club, he said the lack of accountability on social platforms enables targeted negative campaigns against political leaders, public figures and businesses, with the intent to provoke chaos. “Our democratic journey is being obstructed,” he warned.
Looking ahead to the national election expected in February, Mirza Fakhrul said the country must “return to a democratic order,” stressing that freedom of expression is essential in any democracy. “I may disagree with you, but your right to speak must be respected,” he said, lamenting a culture in which dissent is treated as enmity and met with smear campaigns.
Arguing that the BNP has a track record of media pluralism, he cited Ziaur Rahman’s shift from one-party rule to multi-party democracy and the reopening of shuttered newspapers, and said Khaleda Zia also strengthened press freedom. He added that the party’s announced 31-point agenda “clearly commits” to full media freedom, calling it a “tested commitment,” not rhetoric.
Mirza Fakhrul urged journalist associations to strengthen themselves independently of party politics, contending that “tailing political parties does not solve problems.” He alleged that the media landscape had been systematically weakened over the past 15 years and encouraged journalists to press both owners and the government on wages, job security and working conditions rather than “depending on any party” to secure their rights.
Friday’s session was chaired by BFUJ acting president Obaidur Rahman Shaheen and conducted by BFUJ secretary general Kader Gani Chowdhury. Other speakers included Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Mia Golam Porwar, National Press Club president poet Hasan Hafiz, former DUJ president poet Abdul Hai Shikdar and DUJ president Shahidul Islam.