Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman today said the judiciary played a facilitating role in establishing Sheikh Hasina`s authoritarian rule.
He also criticised sections of the media for contributing to the consolidation of such governance.
Iftekharuzzaman made these remarks while inaugurating a training workshop on investigative journalism on legal affairs at the Midas Centre in Dhaka.
"The independence of the judiciary and the media are intrinsically linked," he said, emphasising the need for political reforms to achieve a functional judiciary.
"Journalists can play a significant role in driving this change."
He alleged that institutions tasked with ensuring accountability, including the judiciary and certain media outlets, had instead become complicit in enabling authoritarian practices.
Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque, who also attended the event, assured journalists of legal support in cases involving contempt of court allegations.
The workshop aimed to equip journalists with investigative skills to uncover judicial irregularities and highlight the intersection of law and investigative reporting.
Supreme Court Reporters Forum`s President Masudur Rahman and General Secretary Golam Rabbani also addressed the gathering, stressing the importance of an independent press and judiciary in safeguarding democracy.
The event underscored the critical role of journalists in holding institutions accountable and fostering transparency in governance.
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