State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Chowdhury has warned that journalists found involved in anti-democratic activities, terrorism or any actions contrary to the law will face legal action.
“Freedom of the media exists. However, under the country's laws, anyone who works against upholding democracy, seeks to undermine democratic institutions or engages in terrorism is not above the law,” he told parliament on Sunday.
The remarks came during the question-and-answer session on the opening day of the budget session of the 13th parliament, in response to a supplementary question from Cumilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah.
In his question, Hasnat alleged that in the past some journalists and media outlets had legitimised enforced disappearances, killings, vote rigging, bank looting and mass killings, and had helped build public opinion in support of such actions.
Referring to several journalists and media organisations by name, he asked whether any legal action had been taken against them and why some had reportedly been rehabilitated in different institutions.
