Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has called on the media to play its role as the "fourth pillar" of the state, warning that its failure would inevitably lead to the collapse of the three other pillars.

Speaking as the chief guest at an Iftar party hosted by Jamaat’s Dhaka Metropolitan South unit for journalists on Saturday, Shafiqur emphasised that a functional media is essential for keeping the state on the "right path".

"If the media remains firm, the other three pillars will be compelled to follow the right course," he said.

"But if the fourth pillar fails and becomes fragile, the remaining three will automatically fail."

The Jamaat chief noted that while objective journalism is the bedrock of a developed nation, the "fascist regime" of the Awami League succeeded in stifling the voices of those attempting to present the truth.

"We sometimes feel the remnants of that suppression even today," he added.

"We do not want partial freedom; we want total liberation from fascism, regardless of whose tenure it is. Fascism has never given, and will never give, anything good to the nation."

He urged the ruling party to ensure the absolute safety and security of journalists to foster an environment for objective reporting, calling "white as white and black as black".