Bangladesh’s interim government’s Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, has apologized for his comments regarding BBC Bangla. He stated, “I want to correct my recent remarks about BBC Bangla’s reporting.”
On Friday (February 7), he made this statement in a post on his verified Facebook page.
In the post, the Press Secretary said, “I apologize for my recent comments about BBC Bangla’s reporting, and I want to correct my statement.”
Shafiqul Alam explained, “Firstly, I made my comments about BBC Bangla based on a specific issue. They repeatedly claimed that Sheikh Hasina had fled to India. Secondly, I am aware that BBC Bangla published an interview with Tarique Rahman despite restrictions under Sheikh Hasina’s government. Now, whether Tarique Rahman gives another interview to BBC is his personal matter. Besides, I had stated that BBC Bangla was working in favor of the fascist Awami League and Sheikh Hasina. I apologize for that comment and wish to correct it.”
He further added, “While I may have noticed a lack of objectivity in some reports, I would like to emphasize that BBC Bangla is trying its best to present the truth about events in Bangladesh. They are also making efforts to report transparently and accurately on the destruction left behind by Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime and the activities of the interim government. Every journalist in Bangladesh should strive to do the same.”
Previously, on February 5, Shafiqul Alam had posted on his verified Facebook profile, stating, “It seems that BBC Bangla has become a fan of the ousted dictator and mass murderer Sheikh Hasina. When reporting on her, the media outlet omits the context of her ‘fleeing to India.’ After the fall of the Awami League government, they prefer to use terms like ‘left for India’ instead of ‘fled to India.’ The reality is that Sheikh Hasina has fled to India after countless child murders, unprecedented violence, looting, corruption, extrajudicial killings, and the enforced disappearances of over three thousand people.”
However, he removed the post shortly after.
Additionally, the Press Secretary has been making arbitrary remarks about legal and judicial matters, which could be considered contempt of court.