Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam on Sunday said he hopes a new Bangladesh under the leadership of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will ensure a strong space for critical journalism and an independent media.

Speaking at an exchange of views organised by the BNP at a city hotel marking Tarique Rahman’s return to the country, Mahfuz stressed that while freedom of expression formally exists in Bangladesh, the freedom to express critical opinions remains absent.

We have freedom of expression in the country, but we do not have freedom of critical expression. What we need is the freedom to criticise,” he said.

Mahfuz observed that no government in Bangladesh has ever truly supported critical journalism, despite media scrutiny being a prerequisite for good governance.

Your party people, intelligence agencies and bureaucrats will not tell you the truth. It is the independent media that will tell you the truth about the country. If you do not want to hear that truth, you will make mistakes,” he said.

Addressing BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Mahfuz remarked that although he appears media-friendly at present, the real test would come after the party assumes power.

You are media-friendly now because your party is not in power. How media-friendly you remain after coming to power will determine how much you support independent journalism,” he added.

Mahfuz said there is no alternative to creating a new media environment for a new Bangladesh, calling it a unique opportunity for Tarique Rahman.

Bangladesh is now in a devastating state. In this situation, there is a promising opportunity before him to rethink the country’s media landscape,” he said.

Criticising ethical lapses within the media, Mahfuz noted that many editors have effectively turned into public relations officers of owners.

Ethics, ethics and ethics — there is no alternative to ethical journalism in the future. We are not beyond making mistakes. Point them out, and we will correct them and apologise,” he said.

Referring to the attack and arson on Bangla daily Prothom Alo and English daily The Daily Star on Thursday night, Mahfuz said such an incident is unprecedented in the country’s 53-year history.

There has never been arson at media houses like this. It is a major blow to independent journalism,” he added.