Dastagir Jahangir
The media landscape in Bangladesh has always been a battleground, where the government’s oversight was part of the norm to steer public opinion and control narratives. However, the appointment of Dr. Mohammad Yunus as the head of the interim government has marked a significant and alarming shift towards outright suppression. This change has not only escalated the existing tensions between the state and the press but has introduced a new authoritarian chapter in Bangladesh’s media history, allegedly with the complicity or support of political entities such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Islamist group Jamaat-e-Islami, and various student groups acting as political enforcers.
Since Dr. Yunus’s leadership began, the media has transitioned from a space of partial freedom to one where government control is totalitarian. This new era has seen journalists subjected to a barrage of severe legal and physical repercussions. Previously, media workers might have faced job loss or censure for their reporting; now, they are confronted with charges that are not just punitive but are draconian by any standard. Accusations range from mass murder, abductions, and violent assaults to the dissemination of what the regime labels as misinformation about the recent spate of public demonstrations. Such charges are not only historically unprecedented within Bangladesh but also stand out as extreme when compared globally, casting a stark, negative spotlight on the country’s commitment to democratic values.
This wave of repression appears to be strategically aimed at ideological purging. Journalists whose reporting or personal beliefs align, or are perceived to align, with the legacy and philosophies of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation and a symbol of Bangladesh’s fight for sovereignty, find themselves particularly at risk. This isn’t merely about silencing critique or controlling the narrative; it’s about systematically eliminating perspectives that do not conform to the regime’s views. The scale and nature of these actions suggest a deliberate attempt to not only control but to fundamentally alter the media landscape, erasing diversity in thought and expression.
The implications of this suppression are profound. It’s not just about the immediate impact on individual journalists, many of whom have lost their livelihoods, their freedom, or even their lives. It’s about the broader death of media freedom – the “Death of Media” – and the strangulation of “Freedom of Speech” in Bangladesh. This situation has painted a new, grim portrait of the nation, where the free flow of information, a cornerstone of any democracy, is under siege. Under Dr. Yunus’s regime, the media’s role as a societal watchdog is not just diminished but is being systematically dismantled, leaving the public in the dark and democracy in peril.
Overview
Legal Actions: More than 600 cases have been filed against 296 journalists, predominantly murder charges.
Detainment: Out of 18 journalists arrested, only 2 have been granted bail.
Job Losses: Over a thousand journalists and media workers have been dismissed or expelled from their positions.
Press Credentials: Accreditation cards of 168 journalists, both within and outside Dhaka, have been revoked or suspended.
Violence: Six journalists have been killed, with countless others injured or publicly humiliated.
Attacks on Media Houses: More than fifty TV stations and magazine offices have been vandalized or attacked.
Media Ownership: Except for a few, nearly all media outlets have been seized by forces aligned with the current regime.
These actions paint a grim picture of media freedom in Bangladesh, especially post-August 5.
Termination of Employment
The crackdown on journalists includes:
Dismissal of about 100 staff from Bangladesh Television (BTV).
39 from Nagorik TV, 37 from Ekattor TV, 15 from DBC News, 8 from Somoy TV, affecting numerous other channels and newspapers.
Nationwide, particularly outside Dhaka, with 64 district representatives from BTV laid off, alongside similar actions against staff from private channels and newspapers, totaling approximately a thousand job losses.
Accused in Murder and Other Cases
The legal assault on journalists is unprecedented:
Approximately 600 lawsuits have been initiated against 296 journalists, with a focus on murder charges. These cases span across various police stations and courts, including the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT):
72 journalists from the capital face multiple charges.
Specific numbers from various districts include:
3 from Thakurgaon, 2 from Ghoraghat in Dinajpur, 2 from Nilphamari, 6 from Pirganj in Rangpur, 2 from Lalmonirhat, 2 from Kurigram, 12 from Joypurhat, 22 from Bogra Sadar, 9 more from Bogra, 1 at ICT, 3 from Sherpur in Bogra, 8 from Boalia in Rajshahi, 1 from Bagha, 1 from Sirajganj, 18 from Kushtia, 1 from Harinakundu in Jhenaidah, 3 from Magura, 1 from Narail, 14 from Khulna at ICT, 1 from Shyamnagar in Satkhira, 3 from Satkhira court, 1 from Pirojpur, 3 from Indurkani in Pirojpur, 2 from Bamna in Barguna, 6 from Hijla in Barisal, 1 from Mymensingh, 3 from Bakshiganj in Jamalpur, 1 from Jhenaigati in Sherpur, 10 from Gazipur, 3 from Tangail, 1 from Munshiganj, 4 from Rajbari, 1 from Mirpur and Savar in Dhaka, 1 from Faridpur, 1 from Shariatpur in Dhaka, 3 from Sunamganj, 11 from Srimangal in Moulvibazar, 15 from Habiganj, 3 from Comilla, 2 from Feni, 30 from Chittagong, 1 from Cox’s Bazar, and 6 from Khagrachari.
Conclusion: A Bleak Future for Journalism
The current anti-media measures enacted under the Muhammad Yunus regime foretell a perilous path for Bangladesh, setting a dangerous precedent that could have long-lasting, detrimental effects on the nation’s democratic fabric. By systematically dismantling the foundational elements of journalistic freedom, the government is not merely silencing the voices of dissent but is actively undermining the very essence of a democratic society where free exchange of ideas and information is paramount. This aggressive clampdown on the media creates an environment of fear, where journalists are forced into self-censorship or face dire consequences, thereby fundamentally altering the public discourse.
The repercussions extend beyond immediate censorship. The chilling effect on journalism discourages potential investments in the media sector. New ventures in media, which require an environment of freedom and security to thrive, are likely to shy away from such a hostile landscape. This economic impact is coupled with a profound loss of public trust in state institutions, as the populace witnesses the government’s heavy-handed approach to control information. When the media cannot act as a watchdog, the transparency and accountability of these institutions are compromised, leading to a decline in the quality of governance.
Moreover, this situation cries out for the urgent attention of international bodies, human rights organizations, and advocates for press freedom. The global community must recognize the severity of what is occurring in Bangladesh, where the media, once a beacon of post-independence hope, is now on life support. Immediate actions from these entities are crucial to prevent Bangladesh from becoming a cautionary tale in the annals of modern history, where a once-vibrant media landscape was snuffed out under the shadow of authoritarian control.
The tragedy unfolding under the Yunus regime is not isolated to the borders of Bangladesh. It serves as a stark reminder of how fragile democratic principles can be when freedom of speech and media are not staunchly defended. The “death of media” and the suppression of freedom of speech in Bangladesh under this administration is a warning to democracies everywhere; it underscores the necessity of vigilance in protecting these freedoms, for their erosion anywhere threatens the health of democracy everywhere. The world must act, not only for the sake of Bangladesh’s journalists but for the preservation of the global democratic ethos.
Dastagir Jahangir, Editor The Voice.