Writers and academics said on Friday that predatory journalism was used as a big tool by the ousted fascist government to suppress its opponents.
They also said that the past fascist government created a nexus of media house owners, political leaders and intelligence agencies to spread disinformation on mainstream and social media.
They made the statement at a seminar titled Fascibader Jamany Shikari Sangbadikota organised by Press Institute Bangladesh at RC Majumdar Arts Auditorium on the Dhaka University campus.
Rajshahi University professor and researcher A Al Mamun presented the keynote paper while Dhaka University vice-chancellor professor Niaz Ahmed Khan was present at the event as chief guest and pro-vice-chancellor professor Mamun Ahmed as a special guest.
Writer and professor Salimullah Khan and assistant professor of the DU mass communication and journalism department Khorshed Alam spoke at the event as speakers while the PIB DG Faruk Wasif chaired the event.
The seminar paper is from A Al Mamun鈥檚 on-going research titled The Rise of Predatory Journalism in Bangladesh, which is based on 10 case studies, and analysis as well as interviews of 22 renowned journalists of the country regarding the issue. 聽 聽
鈥楾he intelligence agencies started to interrupt the media from 2009 and after 2012 it was difficult to publish news against them. They also controlled the advertisements for newspapers and media houses, and even a foreign embassy was also controlling the media,鈥� A Al Mamun said, adding that if the nexus cannot be destroyed, it will be difficulty to achieve press freedom.
From 2012 to 2022, more than 30 journalists were victims of enforced disappearance, Khorshed Alam said, adding, 鈥楾he government purchased surveillance technologies from an Israeli company to suppress people, and journalism must question the power on behalf of the people.鈥�
Newspaper owners are now the enemy of the newspapers in the contemporary corporate economy, Salimullah Khan said, adding, 鈥榃e have to discuss both predators and preys while fascism is being created every day. The fascism born from usurpation of the past is now attacking national minority protests, which is clearly a fascist manifestation.鈥�