Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon today characterized fascism as a 'mental illness' that primarily originates from the abuse of power and a lack of accountability.

"Power contains certain viruses; if 'anti-viruses' or 'vaccinations' are not administered through the political process beforehand, they drive the society and the state towards fascism," he said.

The Information Minister made these remarks as the chief guest at an exchange of views with photojournalists at the Bangladesh Photo Journalist Association auditorium today.

He noted that the influence and prestige of power can infect individuals with a kind of disease if constant vigilance is not maintained.

"The present government is extremely cautious about this virus. For this reason, even before forming the government, the Prime Minister gave a strict message to MPs and ministers regarding not taking undue government facilities," the minister added.

Highlighting the importance of the media, the Information Minister said that an aware and responsible media can play the most effective role in preventing fascism.

He urged victims of past crimes, torture, and injustice to file formal legal complaints to ensure justice. Otherwise, he warned, these allegations will remain confined to political rhetoric, creating risks for the emergence of new fascism in the future.

Regarding the dignity and rights of journalists, Zahir Uddin Swapon said, "The government is working to ensure recruitment and a specific salary structure according to the law by treating the media as an industry. Honorable salaries and dignity for media workers will be ensured through Wage Board negotiations."

The meeting was chaired by association president AKM Mohsin and addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, Bangladesh Photojournalist Association General Secretary Babul Talukdar and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Shahidul Islam.

Managing Director of Bangladesh Journalist Welfare Trust Mohammad Abdul Basir (Basir Jamal), Principal Information Officer (PIO) of the Press Information Department (PID) Yeakub Ali, and other journalist leaders were also present.