There should be no place for populism in media: Kamal Ahmed
“No matter how much we speak about democracy, we often forget the other voices. In the name of democracy, we have witnessed the rule of majoritarianism,” Kamal said.
Journalism must prioritise dissenting voices over dominant political narratives, The Daily Star Consulting Editor Kamal Ahmed said today (9 May), warning against the growing influence of populism and majoritarian politics in the media.
Speaking at a plenary session titled "Politico-Governance Ecosystem and Free Media" on the second day of the Bangladesh Journalism Conference 2026, he said democratic practice is increasingly being reduced to the rule of the majority, often sidelining alternative perspectives.
"No matter how much we speak about democracy, we often forget the other voices. In the name of democracy, we have witnessed the rule of majoritarianism," he said.
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He cautioned against sensationalism and crowd-driven narratives in journalism, adding, "There should be no place for populism in the media."
Kamal emphasised the need for stronger professional coordination among journalists and greater institutional support within media organisations to strengthen political reporting.
"Journalists themselves need to become more coordinated, and media houses must create an ecosystem for political reporters," he said.
The session discussed how political systems, governance structures and institutional pressures influence press freedom and the role of independent journalism in ensuring accountability.
