Did Rezaul Karim Rony get an office beside BTV director general?

Social media claims that Rezaul Karim Rony has been appointed to Bangladesh Television (BTV) and allocated an office beside its director general remain unsubstantiated, with BTV officials saying they have no knowledge of such an appointment.

The controversy began after a Facebook account named Ahnaf Tamid posted a photograph of a nameplate, claiming Roni had been given office space adjacent to BTV Director General Syeda Kazi Jesin office.

The post alleged that the arrangement had been concealed from the government.

It quickly circulated across Facebook, prompting questions about Rony's alleged appointment and demands for an official explanation.

What does BTV say?

Daily Waadaa contacted Asifa Siddika, assistant director (administration) and coordination officer at the BTV director general's office, to verify the claim.

Siddika said she had no knowledge of Rony joining the office.

Initially surprised by the allegation, she reiterated that she was unaware of any such appointment after being informed that the inquiry was part of a fact-check.

BTV Assistant Director (Administration) Mohammad Mozammel gave a similar response.

He said he had no information about Rony being recruited or appointed to the broadcaster.

Asked whether BTV would take legal action if false information about the director general's office was being circulated, Mozammel said that decision rested with the DG's office.

What does Roni say?

Contacted by Waadaa on Sunday evening, Rony categorically denied joining BTV.

He accused Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Bangladesh Chhatra Shibir of spreading the allegation.

Waadaa could not independently establish who was behind the viral claims.

Rony also questioned why he would accept a position at the BTV director general's office when, according to him, he had previously declined an offer to become a minister in a BNP government.

That claim could not be independently verified.

Rejecting the significance of the circulating nameplate photograph, Rony challenged those making the allegation to produce an official appointment letter.

He described the controversy as an attempt to smear his reputation on social media.