BNP rally: journos criticise using photos of Khaleda, Tarique on ‘media card’

BNP's move to force journalists -- covering today's rally in Rajshahi -- to put on press cards with photos of BNP's top leaders has triggered a wave of criticism from local journalists.

Ahead of the party's rally, the press cards were being distributed yesterday among journalists and they were told to enter the venue wearing the cards.

Rafiqul Islam, president of Rajshahi Journalists Union, told journalists that "unlike rallies held by other parties, this instruction of making a party card mandatory for journos is really humiliating."

The press card contains photos of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, party chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

Tarique, who now lives in London, has been convicted in a number of cases.

Referring to this use of photos of party leaders, Rafiqul said, "This is completely unacceptable for journalists to use this card to cover the event."