Editors’ Council protests fabricated allegations against media

The Editors’ Council, in a statement issued on issued on Wednesday (August 13), has strongly protested recent false and unexpected allegations targeting the media.

Council President Mahfuz Anam and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmuk singed the statement.

The statement condemned claims made at the 'National Youth Conference 2025', organized by the youth wing of the National Citizen Party (Jatiya Juboshakti) on International Youth Day, which accused the media of defaming participants of the mass uprising and acting as a “spokesperson for intelligence agencies” during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.

Rejecting these allegations, the Editors’ Council said the print media played a crucial role in covering last year’s student and public uprisings, reporting on state violence, human rights violations, and internet blackouts despite facing intimidation and harassment. The media also contributed to shaping public opinion in favor of the uprising through courageous reporting.

The Council further noted that during the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the media has continued to play a constructive role in building a democratic state, highlighting government shortcomings, and supporting the aspirations of the July uprising.

The Editors’ Council urged all political parties to issue responsible, fact-based statements and refrain from spreading unfounded allegations against journalists and media organizations.