Violence against and persecution of Bangladeshi journalists trying to cover issues related to coronavirus have increased, according to Reporters Sans Borders (RSF), an international body of journalists that works to safeguard freedom of information.
“Reporters Without Borders is alarmed by the increase in cases of civilian and police violence and judicial harassment of journalists trying to cover coronavirus-related issues in Bangladesh in the month since a general lockdown was imposed on the population,” said an RSF press release on Monday. The RSF provided details of quite a few of the cases.
The latest victim is Sajal Bhuiyan, a reporter for the privately-owned SATV channel, who had to be hospitalised after he was beaten unconscious, with his face bloodied, last Thursday when he tried to cover the misappropriation of rice earmarked for disadvantaged sectors of the population in Narsingdi.
Government food handouts designed to mitigate economic hardship resulting from the lockdown have given rise to several cases of corruption at the local level, including the one which Bhuiyan was investigating along with SATV Khoj current affairs programme presenter Baten Biplob.
When the two journalists tried to approach Nasir Uddin, a district boss accompanied by several henchmen, they were badly beaten with sticks. In a Facebook post, Biplob described how they were attacked and how, “fearing for his life,” he managed to drag the mauled Bhuiyan on to a push-chair before fleeing.
Sajal Bhuiyan was hospitalised in an unconscious state at Narsingdi government hospital (photo: Baten Biplod).
“We call on Bangladeshi prosecutors to order the immediate arrest of those responsible for the unacceptable violence against Sajal Bhuiyan and Baten Biplob,” said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk.
“We have also registered many other cases of physical violence, police violence and judicial harassment of journalists trying to cover the coronavirus crisis. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government must do everything possible to end this alarming surge in press freedom violations,” said the official.
The statement also mentioned the names of journalists who have been victims of serious injuries, police violence, judicial reprisals and arbitrary detention.
Bangladesh is ranked 151st out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2020 World Press Freedom Index, one place lower than in 2019, it said.
