DHAKA, October 27, 2026 — Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir must immediately and formally withdraw his sweeping and irresponsible remarks against journalists and issue a public apology, Bangladesh Media Monitor (BDMM) said in a statement.
The media watchdog and think tank expressed strong condemnation, protest, and deep concern over the offensive remarks made by the IGP against the country’s journalistic community. BDMM noted that its official statement was published on its social media handles (1, 2) on Tuesday in both Bangla and English.
According to media reports (1, 2), the IGP made the comments during an event in Chawkbazar, Dhaka, on October 26, 2026, where he remarked that journalists publish reports portraying the police as ineffective unless they secretly receive money from drug dealers.
Although Police Headquarters later issued an explanation describing the remarks as having been made “inadvertently,” BDMM emphasized that making such generalized and irresponsible allegations against the entire journalistic community from a senior administrative position is highly unprofessional and poses a serious threat to a free media environment.
BDMM stressed that while established legal mechanisms exist to investigate and address specific instances of wrongdoing or irregularity, making blanket accusations against journalists is entirely inconsistent with the dignity and responsibilities associated with a senior state position.
Bangladesh Media Monitor strongly urged the IGP and relevant authorities to formally withdraw the irresponsible remarks from an official position and extend a public apology.