Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh and joint convener of the National Editors Council (NEC), said that collaborators of fascism in the media could return to the mainstream through self-purification, but those who justified or assisted in killings must face criminal prosecution. He made these remarks on Monday at a seminar titled “Media’s Failure in Confronting Fascism,” organized by the NEC at the DFP conference room in Dhaka’s Information Building, marking the June 16 Black Day of newspaper closures under BAKSAL rule.

The seminar was chaired by Mahmudur Rahman and conducted by Jugantor editor Abdul Hai Shikder, with Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan as chief guest. In his speech, Rahman criticized the Awami League’s history as one of authoritarianism and suppression of press freedom, citing past incidents and his own legal challenges. He emphasized the need for unity among editors to establish true media independence and to reform the state system.

Rahman added that while differing editorial policies are natural, editors should unite on fundamental issues like freedom of expression. He expressed hope that the current government would continue restoring media freedom initiated under Dr. Yunus’s administration.