MM Rahmatullah: Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on journalists to play a stronger role in ensuring accountability of the state’s constitutional institutions, saying a powerful media can keep the other three organs of the state on the right path.

He made the remarks on Saturday (March 14) while addressing an iftar gathering held in honor of journalists at the Ladies Club, organized by the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka City South.
Speaking as the chief guest, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the media is widely regarded as the “fourth pillar” of the state. “If this pillar remains strong, the other three pillars—the judiciary, the executive and the legislature—will be compelled to function properly. But if the fourth pillar becomes weak, the other three also become fragile,” he said.
He alleged that during what he described as a “fascist regime,” journalists who attempted to present objective news were silenced, adding that its impact still lingers in some areas. “We want complete freedom from fascism, not partial freedom—whenever and wherever it may occur. Fascism has never brought welfare to any nation,” he said.
Addressing journalists, he urged them to act according to their conscience and to have the courage to call truth the truth and falsehood falsehood. “Life comes once and death comes once. Therefore, we must move forward like heroes, not through compromise,” he added.
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also said that even from the opposition, Jamaat-e-Islami would continue to defend the freedom of journalists. At the same time, he noted that ensuring the safety and security of journalists is the responsibility of the government.
On national issues, he said the party would not make any compromise. “If the government remains firm on national interests, we will stand by them. But if it deviates, we will try to bring them back on the right path—otherwise we will build resistance,” he said.
The event was presided over by Dhaka City South Ameer and Member of Parliament Nurul Islam Bulbul. Special guest Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General of the party and head of its central publicity and media department, also spoke at the event.
In his speech, Zubair noted that the Qur’an was revealed during the holy month of Ramadan and called on people to apply the teachings of Ramadan in all aspects of life to build an enlightened society and a welfare-oriented state.
He also claimed that although “fascist forces” have left the country, their conspiracies have not ended, and stressed the need to implement the “July Charter” to permanently end such systems.
In his presidential address, Nurul Islam Bulbul said that although questions had been raised about the neutrality of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Jamaat-e-Islami accepted the results in the interest of maintaining peace and order.
He also urged government lawmakers to take the oath of the Constitutional Reform Council during the current parliamentary session and take steps to implement the July Charter.
Several prominent media leaders and editors also attended the event, including Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Dainik Amar Desh; Salahuddin Muhammad Baber, editor of Dainik Naya Diganta, Kamal Uddin Sabuj, editor of Daily Desh Rupantor; and Hasan Hafiz, president of the National Press Club, among others.