The recent attack on journalist Mahfuzur Rahman Shishir after a political procession is a disgraceful act that has absolutely no place in a society with democratic values.
A journalist at the scene was reportedly subjected to physical violence after a dispute during a media briefing escalated, leading to him suffering injuries to his face and being taken to the hospital.
That there is nothing that can justify such an attack should be the general consensus on this matter; disagreement with a journalist’s questions, criticism of coverage, or anger over perceived political positions can never be an excuse for intimidation and violence.
What makes this incident even more disturbing is the apparent failure of law enforcement to ensure an immediate and appropriate response.
The responsibility of the authorities is not merely to contain a situation after violence occurs, but to protect citizens -- especially those carrying out a constitutionally important role in holding power to account.
Additionally, describing the incident as a simple altercation born out of some misunderstanding is a grave trivialization of the seriousness of an assault on press freedom.
This incident also reflects a deeply troubling and recurring pattern in Bangladesh, where journalists increasingly find themselves vulnerable while on the job: Reporters covering political events, protests, and conflicts repeatedly face harassment, threats, and physical attacks.
A society where journalists fear violence for asking questions or reporting the truth cannot claim to value transparency or accountability.
Political parties and their supporters must understand that journalists are not opponents to be defeated; they are professionals tasked with informing the public.
A democratic nation has the responsibility to ensure the safety of its journalists, and the relevant authorities must conduct a proper investigation in this case, identify those responsible, and ensure that this attack does not disappear into another cycle of excuses and inaction.
The unfortunate culture of intimidation and targeting of journalists in our nation must come to an immediate end.
