Bangladesh warns media against broadcasting Sheikh Hasina speeches

Bangladesh’s government will take action against media outlets that publish or broadcast former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s speeches in violation of a court order, information and broadcasting adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said Tuesday.

Zahed said outlets that announce a Hasina speech in advance and then carry it would be defying the order. He said the government would again remind media organizations to comply.

“The government’s responsibility is to ensure implementation of the court’s decisions,” he said at a Secretariat briefing.

Zahed said he personally would not support restricting Hasina’s speeches without the court order. “If anyone disagrees with the court’s order, they have the right to challenge it before the court. But as long as the order remains in force, everyone must comply with it,” he said.

He also said removing officials linked to the previous government would take time.