Dhaka: Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abdul Kalam Azad Majumder has issued a stern warning that the interim government is prepared to take legal action against any media outlets found disseminating misleading news. During a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy this afternoon, Majumder emphasized the government’s commitment to press freedom while underscoring the importance of responsible journalism.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Azad specifically addressed newspapers that had previously published incorrect reports about the revocation of freedom fighter status for the president and prime minister of the Mujibnagar government, as well as over a hundred other leaders. He urged these publications to issue corrections in their printed editions. The press briefing was also attended by Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad.
Earlier, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing had condemned as false and misleading the reports claiming that the recognition of freedom fighters, including president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other key figures of the Mujibnagar government, had been revoked. The press wing’s statement, shared on its verified Facebook account, singled out several newspapers, including Samakal, Jugantar, Ittefaq, and Kalerkanth, for publishing these baseless claims.
Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq E Azam reaffirmed that the members of the Mujibnagar government were indeed freedom fighters. He clarified that both those who actively fought in the liberation war and those who conducted it were recognized as freedom fighters, while officials and employees of the government were considered associate freedom fighters. Azam emphasized that the 1972 definition of a freedom fighter has been implemented, and despite changes in 2018 and 2022, the honor and benefits for both categories remain unchanged.