BNP Secretary General and LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said the success of democracy largely depends on the strength and independence of the media.

“Journalists must call things as they are -- black as black and white as white,” he said at a reception for the newly elected executive committee of the Thakurgaon Press Club, held at the club’s Anisul Haque Auditorium in the afternoon.

Calling on journalists to maintain impartiality, Fakhrul said politicians are not above criticism and media has a crucial role in pointing out their mistakes.

"While working to fulfil people's expectations, politicians may make mistakes. It is the responsibility of the media to identify those mistakes and guide them in the right direction," he said.

"Unfortunately, those working in newspapers are often persecuted. When a truthful report is published, those accused frequently turn against the journalists. Such attacks and harassment are deeply concerning," he added.

"The stronger the media, the stronger the democracy. The success of democracy depends on the success of the media," he said.

Addressing journalists, Fakhrul urged them to judge people by their work rather than their identity, saying media should highlight good initiatives while fearlessly exposing corruption and irregularities.

Congratulating the newly elected committee of the Thakurgaon Press Club, he expressed hope that it would strengthen public confidence through objective journalism and take the organisation to new heights.

Referring to the government's election pledges, Fakhrul said two new upazilas have been approved for Thakurgaon and the process of establishing them has already begun.

Among others present at the programme were Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Haque, Superintendent of Police Md Belal Hossain, district BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, and General Secretary Md Paygam Ali.

Later, Fakhrul inaugurated the distribution of free agricultural inputs among small and marginal cotton farmers under a programme of the Cotton Development Board. He also distributed cheques worth Tk 10 lakh among 265 underprivileged people in the district as financial assistance.