India’s High Commission has played a critical role in the rise of predatory journalism in Bangladesh, said speakers at a seminar held yesterday.
Initially, the Indian High Commission established relationships with journalists from various Bangladeshi media outlets. Later, they expanded these connections to mid-level journalists in Dhaka. After 2018, they reportedly brought influential journalists nationwide under a “payroll system.” Whenever they wanted to target someone, this system operated in unison.
Prof Abdullah Al Mamun from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Rajshahi University presented these points in his keynote speech at a seminar held at the RC Majumdar Auditorium of Dhaka University. The seminar, titled “Predatory Journalism in the Age of Fascism,” was organized by the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB).
The discussion featured speeches from writer and thinker Dr Salimullah Khan, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Prof Mamun Ahmed, and Associate Prof Khorshed Alam from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism. The seminar was chaired by PIB Director General Faruque Wasif.
Prof Abdullah Al Mamun identified several reasons behind the emergence of predatory journalism in Bangladesh.
Explaining why predatory journalism has taken root in Bangladesh but not in Europe or America, he attributed it to the country’s media system, which creates opportunities for propaganda. While mobilizing a group to criminalize someone is difficult in the West, in Bangladesh, predatory journalism can instantly criminalize individuals. It functions in two ways: by suppressing certain narratives and preying on the language of society.
He argued that the manifesto for predatory journalism began in 2007 during the arrests of Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia, and Tarique Rahman. Although it did not gain momentum at the time, it resurfaced in incidents like Mamunul Haque’s resort scandal and Pori Moni’s drug case.
Prof Mamun interviewed 22 journalists to gain insights into predatory journalism. Based on their responses, he highlighted several reasons for its rise in Bangladesh:
1. Before 2010–2012, journalists could publish stories about intelligence agencies. Afterward, such reporting became impossible, especially concerning DGFI and NSI.
2. Journalists fear losing their jobs, as in Bangladesh, losing employment often equates to losing social respect. Being unemployed can lead to being branded as anti-liberation.
3. Media owners are heavily involved in state affairs. In the last election, 18 media owners contested seats, and 12 became MPs.
4. The decline in mainstream media revenue has led to a nexus between traditional and social media, contributing to the rise of predatory journalism.
Writer and thinker Dr Salimullah Khan stated that one aspect of fascism is its appropriation of historical events to suit its narrative. He cited examples of TV channels named “Ekattor” (1971) and “Ekushey” (21st), which appear to symbolize national values but reflect appropriation instead.
“Journalism doesn’t just create public opinion; it also generates political ideologies, theories, and power,” Dr Khan added.
He criticized the neglect of historical milestones, such as the weak commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Sepoy Mutiny in 2007 compared to the centenary celebrations in 1957. Events like the Battle of Plassey or the British departure in 1947 also lack official recognition.
Dr Khan also condemned attacks on students advocating for the inclusion of graffiti art in textbooks, stating, “Fascism is alive—not only within political parties but also among teachers, students, and textbook authors.”
He called for accountability from Dhaka University Teachers’ Association, stating, “Inviting vice-chancellors and pro-vice-chancellors to seminars cannot absolve the association from its complicity in the era of fascism.”
Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Mamun Ahmed shared his personal experience as a victim of predatory journalism during the 2018 quota reform movement. He recounted that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman called him to inquire about the legitimacy of the movement. Prof Ahmed expressed his belief that the students’ demands were justified.
“Suddenly, this conversation was broadcast as part of a conspiracy narrative across major media outlets, with headlines like ‘A Conspiracy to Overthrow the Government from London.’ A TV channel even held a live talk show at 11 PM on the matter,” he said.
Prof Ahmed described how the incident dominated headlines for two days, disrupting his daughter’s exam preparations. When he sought help from influential journalists, they refused to take his calls. Even the teachers’ association seemed too fearful to intervene.
“I couldn’t understand how a personal phone call could be deemed newsworthy enough to dominate the headlines for two days. Is such recording even legal? If intelligence agencies collect these records, what is the media’s role in exploiting them?” he questioned.