BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that journalists will be able to practice freer and more independent journalism if the BNP forms the next government, reaffirming that the party has always stood for media freedom.

“Ziaur Rahman broke the idea of Baksal’s four-state media outlets and created the first environment for journalists to work independently. Today’s journalism in Bangladesh stands on that foundation,” he said.

Speaking at a discussion organised at the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday, Khasru said that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is also a strong advocate of independent journalism.

“The BNP has the mindset to accept any form of criticism. After August 5, a cartoon was drawn about Tarique Rahman. His response was that such freedom of journalists is the very reason we fought to end authoritarianism. That small statement is enough to understand BNP’s position on press freedom,” he said.

He said BNP plans and ensures a question–answer session for journalists at every programme because the party wants politicians to always face accountability.

Expressing concern over the upcoming national election, Khasru said, “There is an effort to derail the election, but the BNP is moving forward like a skilled navigator. There will be no scope to sabotage the polls.”

He alleged that the current government has no connection with the people. “For 14–15 months, the country has been run by an unelected government. The bridge that should naturally exist between a government and the people simply does not exist here. The fears of the last 14–15 years have now taken a new form.”

Khasru said the BNP does not indulge in empty political rhetoric. “People no longer want rhetoric; they want credible commitments. BNP will not give the people unrealistic promises.”

Pointing to what he called ongoing smear campaigns against the BNP, he said the party is responding with democratic patience. “The language used to attack BNP is extremely low. If BNP responds, it would have to come down to that level — and BNP will not descend that low.”

Comparing Ziaur Rahman to global historical leaders, Khasru said, “His comparison can be made with America’s George Washington. The qualities Washington demonstrated in war and governance — all of those existed in Ziaur Rahman. I am certain his name would be among the world’s top four or five political leaders.”

He also pledged that the BNP aims to deliver not just political democracy but economic democracy so that the core benefits of democracy reach the people.