MT Desk: There is no freedom of thought and conscience in the country. Democracy and truth have gone into exile. The kingdom of injustice has been established. Fascism is the main crisis of the country. Everyone must be united to overcome this.

 These were the words of a group of journalists, teachers and writers who were present at a seminar on `Democracy and the Media Crisis: The Way Out` organized by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ). The seminar was held at the National Press Club auditorium on the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence and the 46th anniversary of BFUJ.

Former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Anwarullah Chowdhury was the chief guest on the occasion. He said one-man rule has been established in the country. The leaves do not move without his words.

Anwarullah Chowdhury further said, "Is there no role of intellectuals in the fascist regime that has been established in the country?" Of course there is. Intellectuals, professionals, journalists, teachers, lawyers and doctors — everyone has a role to play. Intellectuals are the mouthpieces of the fascist government.

Introducing the main article, author Farhad Mazhar said that if there is no media in a country, freedom of expression, which philosophers call assurance of thought and conscience, if there is no, it is not called democracy. Freedom of thought and conscience does not exist in Bangladesh.

Professor Abdul Latif of Jahangirnagar University, Acting Secretary of New Nation Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Journalist Leader Shawkat Mahmud, MA Aziz, Nurul Amin, Ilias Khan, Quader Gani Chowdhury, Shahidul Islam, Lawyer Nasreen also spoke at the seminar presided over by BFUJ President M Abdullah. Etc.