It has been devastating to see the press continue to come under attack despite the advent of a new Bangladesh, one which had been promised to do away with the culture of silencing and intimidation that was firmly established by the previous Awami League government.
Under the previous government, Bangladesh witnessed the absolute lowest levels of press freedom in its history, with draconian laws such as the Digital Security Act, and its latter day incarnation the Cyber Security Act, resulting in journalists being detained for simply doing their job. The genuine hope fostered immediately after the interim government was sworn in about its commitment towards a truly free press has now given way to caution as media outlets throughout the country are now coming under threat.
Publications across the nation have allegedly faced threats of office raids and blockades, prompting a number of publications having to request increased security from law enforcement agencies for their headquarters.
Now is the time for everyone to have their voices be heard
Threats of raids and other security concerns do not comprise the ideal landscape for a free press. While it is indeed true that the law and order situation -- despite some tangible improvements since immediate days following the government’s overthrow -- has been less than ideal in general, the interim government has to ensure journalists’ protection as part of its overall plans to improve the state of press freedom. This much cannot be overstated.
We strongly agree with the Editors Council in its belief that if anyone feels strongly about news or the coverage of any specific event by any given publication, the best possible way to make that point would be to write to the newspapers in lieu of threatening them into silence. At the end of the day, a newspaper is perhaps the ultimate marketplace of ideas, and given the febrile nature of the current moment in Bangladesh’s history, now is the time for everyone to have their voices be heard.
