National Citizen Party convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam alleged that democratic space and room for free expression have gradually narrowed during the BNP government’s six months in office. He made the remarks on Monday at a hotel in the capital during the Democratic Journalist Alliance’s “July Through Journalists’ Eyes” event. He called on journalists, political parties and others to work together to prevent further restrictions.

Islam said democratic protests demanding gas and electricity services were being described as reckless and linked to bus vandalism. He warned that it would be troubling for democracy if future opposition street protests were associated with vandalism to create grounds for cases or arrests. He said opposition parties should be able to speak both inside and outside parliament as part of a democratic state.

He urged journalists to publish truthful and objective reporting and stressed that their safety must be ensured for independent work. Islam expressed disappointment that recommendations of the Media Reform Commission had not been implemented. He also called for media independence from political and business interests, stronger democratic institutions, and rejection of violence against media outlets despite disagreements over their policies or political positions.