The bomb attacks against two TV stations this weekend are an affront to civilised values. They are another example of how law and order is undermined by violent political activists.
Zakaria Biplob and Alamgir Hossain were injured in an attack at Ekattor TV’s office in Baridhara on Saturday evening. At the same time, two bombs were exploded outside the offices of Desh Television, which is also home to the daily Bhorer Kagoj.
All citizens should be able to go about their lives without fear of violence. Incidents of violence against journalists and the media are especially disturbing as they appear deliberately intended to undermine freedom of speech.
According to the News Network NGO and Reporters Without Borders, 19 Bangladeshi journalists died in violence between 1992 and 2012. Of these, the best known perhaps are the journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi who were stabbed to death in their apartment in February last year.
It is a matter of concern that in the past 15 years, only three out of 27 cases filed in connection with murders of journalists have been completed to date, with only one conviction.
This is clearly an unacceptable situation. Furthermore this year, public safety has been further undermined by calls for violence against bloggers.
All political parties must make clear to their supporters that violence against the media is unacceptable - whether during hartals or otherwise - and should support law enforcement authorities in pursuing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.
