The Bangladesh interim government on Friday warned media outlets against broadcasting or publishing statements by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, calling her remarks “false and provocative” and citing national security laws.
Sheikh Hasina was ousted during a military-backed uprising in July and has since been in hiding. The government’s statement follows the airing of an audio message from Hasina by several domestic media outlets earlier this week.
The statement, released by the Press Wing of the Chief Adviser, warned that “any future publication or broadcast” of Hasina’s remarks would lead to immediate legal action. It referenced the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 and existing directives from the International Crimes Tribunal, which previously barred broadcasts deemed to incite hatred or violence.
Officials claimed Hasina’s recent speech contained “false and provocative” statements and accused media outlets of violating court directives. Hasina, who was convicted in absentia by the tribunal, faces charges of genocide and crimes against humanity linked to the government’s crackdown on the July protests.
Hasina’s party, the Awami League, has been banned, and the government says any individual or organization disseminating its activities or statements will face prosecution.
The interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, says it is committed to restoring democratic order and preparing for free and fair elections. It contends that airing Hasina’s remarks risks “instability” during a delicate political transition.
However, international rights advocates and press freedom groups have raised concerns over the warning, calling it a direct threat to the freedom of the press, a cornerstone of any democratic society. They argue that restricting the media from reporting on political figures, even controversial ones, undermines transparency and accountability.
As tensions mount, observers urge the interim government to uphold constitutional protections for the press and ensure that journalists can operate without fear of legal retaliation.