BNP will ensure mass media's full independence: Salahuddin Ahmed

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has affirmed that BNP will ensure absolute independence of all media outlets if the party wins the 13th parliamentary elections. Salahuddin Ahmed said that BNP's electoral manifesto lays strong emphasis on freedom of press and freedom of expression. He also assured about launching a separate reform commission for media industry. BNP will evaluate the recommendations of the existing commission on mass media for the betterment of journalists, Salahuddin Ahmed stated.

Salahuddin Ahmed made the above comments on Wednesday (4 February 2026) while exchanging views with reporters at Chakaria upazila under Cox's Bazar district in a community center. Salahuddin Ahmed told the audiences that all prosperous countries give full liberty to media professionals. He urged journalists to work with ethics and professionalism so that Bangladesh's dignity on the global stage becomes illuminated and fortified.

Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that Bangladesh's journey to strengthen press freedom started with the bold attempts of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia when BNP won the 1991 general elections. Salahuddin Ahmed blamed the immediate past regime for politicizing and repressing news industry for last 16 years. He commented that media workers hold the noble job of sustaining the country's independence and sovereignty and to safeguard democratic principles.

According to Salahuddin Ahmed, journalists should be working in light of their own conscience rather than doing their jobs fully abiding by the owners of media outlets. Local BNP leaders Enamul Haque, M Mobarak Ali, journalist Nurul Islam Helali, Cox's Bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman, Advocate Mir Mosharraf Hossain Titu, journalists M Omar Ali, Abdullah Ansaree spoke on the occasion among others.