Senior Joint Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, has stated that there is no alternative to media freedom in fostering a flourishing democracy and ensuring the rule of law in the country.

Speaking as the chief guest at an event celebrating the 31st founding anniversary of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Thursday (September 10), Rizvi stressed that objective reporting by the press naturally serves as a check on social vices. "If the media presents objective news, terrorism in society will drop, bribery will decrease, and society will become much cleaner," he said.

Rizvi emphasized that just as the administration and the judiciary must function neutrally in a democratic state, the media must also be allowed to operate without bias or fear. "To develop and strengthen our democracy and ensure the rule of law, media freedom is indispensable," he reiterated.

Reflecting on journalistic responsibility, the BNP leader noted that the universal standard of press freedom dictates broadcasting the truth after careful verification—even when doing so carries personal risk. Conversely, he warned that disinformation and character assassination sap the core vitality of both the press and democratic institutions.

Criticizing the state of media over the past 17 years, Rizvi remarked that despite the existence of numerous television channels and newspapers, freedom of expression was severely restricted, reducing public discourse to a singular voice. He alleged that those who attempted to voice dissenting opinions faced intimidation or imprisonment, while talk shows and social media platforms were routinely censored.

Rizvi praised field-level journalists who kept the light of democracy burning under adverse conditions, preventing the democratic space from shutting down entirely. He also recalled how the DRU provided a crucial sanctuary for voice and assembly for opposition figures during times of intense political repression.

Addressing the rise of social media, Rizvi pointed out the absence of editorial oversight online, unlike traditional newsrooms structured with chief reporters and editors. He urged journalists to maintain high standards of professional ethics, cautioning against elevating rumors, personal slander, or private affairs to the level of news.

Presided over by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and moderated by General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel, the event was also attended by Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Ehsanul Mahboob Zubair, State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Habibur Rashid Habib, and Jamaat-e-Islami Central Executive Council Member Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud, among others.