Print and broadcast media in the country is going through a difficult time, as the government is interfering with the media’s right to inform, the Editors’ Council said yesterday.
“The government and its administration is hampering the presentation of free and impartial news. The recent case of the Daily Star has especially become a matter of grave concern, as a captioned photo published by the newspaper generated a rather hostile reaction at parliament, which is not at all expected from any government,” said an Editor’s Council press release signed by its General Secretary Mahfuz Anam.
This concern was voiced by the council members at their meeting yesterday.
The statement further said: “Journalists are being assaulted by political activists. Some newspapers and television stations are being unfairly branded as representatives of certain political parties or ideologies. This is not acceptable.
“The provocative remarks against news editors and publishers made at parliament are threats to the security of journalists in the country. Several editors and publishers have already been harassed and charged in false cases. Police recently went to the office of English daily the New Age and tried to illegally search their compound.
“Several TV channel owners have also been arrested, creating a hostile situation for broadcast media. Some talk shows have already been taken off air. We condemn these acts, because this is a severe violation of our right to inform people.”
The statement said government authorities were also specifying who are allowed to appear on talk shows and interfering with live shows, directing the shows’ proceedings via telephone. Some journalists are not allowed to cover many government events, nor are they allowed to cover many party events.
“This antagonistic attitude towards the media cannot help ensure a free press in the country. We expect a more responsible and cooperative attitude from the government in order to protect the presentation of impartial and realistic news by all news media, which will ultimately protect the freedom of the press,” the statement said.