Following the political upheaval in Bangladesh after the so called student movement in July last year, the country’s media industry has undergone significant restructuring. More than two dozen media outlets have witnessed leadership changes, with numerous editors and news executives being dismissed, forced to resign, or voluntarily leaving their positions.
At least eight newspapers and eleven private television channels have replaced their top editorial figures, including executive editors, chief news editors, and news editors. The majority of these positions have been filled by journalists with affiliations to BNP and Jamaat-leaning associations or reporters who previously covered BNP and Jamaat-related news. These changes have primarily been orchestrated by media owners who had close ties with the deposed Awami League government, making swift alterations in leadership after August 5.
According to insights gathered from over 30 journalists, including those who lost their jobs, these dismissals were largely due to accusations of favoritism towards the previous government. Many senior journalists, formerly aligned with the Awami League administration, now face legal scrutiny, with lawsuits linked to alleged involvement in violence during the student-led mass uprising. Investigations into their financial records are also underway.
Government’s Stance and Media Reform Commission
Interim government Information Adviser Nahid Islam clarified that the administration has not intervened in privately owned media organizations’ restructuring processes. He stated that the government’s role has been limited to state-run media houses, ensuring procedural changes where necessary. However, he added that the Media Reform Commission is monitoring the situation and will take action if deemed necessary.
Despite these assurances, there have been no formal complaints from media houses regarding government interference. Authorities have emphasized that any violation of laws in the restructuring process will be addressed upon receiving allegations.
Division Within Journalism: A Longstanding Issue
The recent changes highlight the deeply ingrained political divisions in Bangladesh’s journalism sector. Journalists and media outlets have long been split along political lines, often reflecting bias in their reporting. Many news organizations have either adhered to government narratives out of fear or sought political and financial gains by supporting ruling regimes.
This division traces back to 1992 when pro-Awami League journalists protested against then-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at an event of attack in the Jatiya Press Club. Since then, journalist associations have been divided into factions aligned with either the Awami League or BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. These affiliations have influenced editorial policies and reportage, intensifying during the 15-year rule of the Awami League.
A Media Purge?
The post-August changes have seen a reversal of roles. Journalists previously associated with BNP and Jamaat have ascended to key positions, while many linked to the Awami League government are facing legal actions and professional setbacks. This transition has led industry insiders to describe the situation as a “media purge,” where media owners have swiftly adapted to the new political reality.
Reports indicate that not only senior journalists but also mid and junior level staff in various TV channels have lost their jobs. A survey by the Broadcast Journalists Centre, released in December 2024, noted that over 150 broadcast journalists were dismissed in the aftermath of the August 5 changeover. The actual number is likely higher when district correspondents are taken into account.
Legal repercussions have followed, with at least 29 criminal cases filed against 121 journalists in Dhaka, Chattogram, Bogura, and Rajshahi. Some journalists have even been accused of crimes against humanity and genocide. Additionally, between October and November, the Information Ministry revoked the accreditation cards of 167 journalists, citing Press Accreditation Policy provisions without specific explanations. Following a fire at the Secretariat in December, all journalists’ accreditation cards were suspended, pending a new issuance policy, further limiting media access.
Journalist associations at home and abroad have strongly criticized these actions, viewing them as a direct threat to press freedom.
Changes in Print and Online Media Leadership
A wave of leadership changes has swept across Bangladesh’s newspapers and online media platforms since August 5:
Bhorer Kagoj: Editor Shyamal Dutta was jailed in September over murder charges linked to the uprising. The newspaper’s print edition was shut down on January 21.
Daily Jugantor: Editor Saiful Alam resigned in early January and was replaced by Abdul Hye Sikder, a BNP and Jamaat-affiliated journalist.
Desh Rupantor: Editor Mostafa Mamun was replaced by Kamal Uddin Sabuj, a BNP-backed journalist and former Jatiya Press Club president.
Kaler Kantho: Hasan Hafiz took over as editor, replacing Imdadul Haq Milan. Hafiz, aligned with BNP-backed press associations, later became Jatiya Press Club president.
Bangladesh Pratidin: Executive Editor Abu Taher became acting editor, replacing Nayeem Nizam, who faces legal action and financial scrutiny.
Samakal: Abul Kalam Azad, owner of this newspaper and Ha-Meem Group, was appointed acting editor, replacing Alamgir Hossain, who is under investigation.
Jai Jai Din: Executive Editor Arun Kumar Dey was replaced by BNP-backed journalist Khurshid Alam.
Banglanews24.com: Editor Jewel Mazhar was replaced by Lutfor Rahman Himel in November.
Sarabangla.net: Ownership and editorial leadership changed following the arrest of its former owner, ex-Awami League minister Golam Dastagir Gazi.
Press Freedom Concerns
Experts and media professionals have expressed deep concerns over these developments. Associate Professor Saiful Alam Chowdhury of Dhaka University noted that neutral journalists are being forced into silence to survive in the current climate. Under the Awami League government, media houses operated under state pressure, often spreading government propaganda in exchange for political and financial benefits.
The reshuffling of media leadership is expected to influence editorial directions, potentially leading to new forms of bias in news coverage. Some media houses are already facing threats from emerging “mobocratic” tendencies, further complicating the landscape.
As Bangladesh’s media industry undergoes this dramatic transformation, the long-term implications remain uncertain. However, the continued intertwining of politics and journalism suggests that impartial reporting may remain elusive in the foreseeable future.
February 11, 2025 11:04 pm
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