
The government will take legal measure against any media outlet that broadcasts or publishes speeches by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in defiance of judicial orders, Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman warned on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman highlighted that official guidance had previously been communicated to media organizations.
"The government earlier issued an advisory for the media in this regard. If any media outlet announces in advance that Sheikh Hasina will deliver a speech and then publishes or broadcasts it, it will amount to defying the court order," he stated.
Dr Zahed Ur Rahman mentioned that the administration would re-issue reminders to all media houses to comply with the directive, stressing that obeying judicial rulings remains a mandatory obligation for every citizen and establishment.
"The government's responsibility is to ensure implementation of the court's decisions," he added.
Sharing his personal perspective, the adviser noted that he would not have backed restrictions on broadcasting Sheikh Hasina's remarks had there been no judicial ban in place.
"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 remarked.
In response to a query regarding why the government received information about the bail granted to former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed two to three days after the order, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman stated he lacked confirmation on the matter and could not offer an immediate explanation.
Addressing another question about the continued presence of officials from the previous administration across government institutions, the adviser noted that the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government and her departure on August 5 represented a significant historical turning point for Bangladesh.
However, he pointed out the practical impossibility of replacing every official who served across various administrative tiers during the past 15 years overnight.
"Many people associated with the previous government are still working in different institutions, including the administration. It is simply not possible to remove such a large number of people at once; the process takes time," he explained.




