Picture shows an earlier demonstration for media freedom, before the departure of Sheikh Hasina.
Oppressive treatment of the media in Bangladesh under the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina was a measure of how low respect for the concept of free speech had fallen.
International rights organisations have reported how arrests, abuse and disappearances at the hands of the country’s security forces had become commonplace. Journalists were prevented from reporting anything that could be seen as embarrassing for the government.
Now, as Muhammad Yunus as the head of a new government turns a page in Bangladesh’s history, journalists are hoping an era of fear and consership has ended and media freedom will be allowed to grow.
The Commonwealth Journalists Association joins all international media freedom organisations in calling for the role of journalism in a free society to be respected. We sent this letter to Dr Yunus immediately after he took office:
“The Commonwealth Journalists Association strongly urges you to take swift actions to ensure the physical safety and secure working environment for journalists and media outlets in Bangladesh who in recent days have experienced serious physical attacks and acts of intimidation.
“A free media which is protected by law against acts of violence and intimidation is essential for a healthy democracy.
“Offices of several television channels and other media outlets have been attacked and ransacked by violent intruders since the military assumed control of government earlier this week.
“They include leading news outlets and cultural television channels such as Ekattor TV, Somoy TV, ATN News, ATN Bangla, My TV, Asian TV, Bijoy TV and Gaan Bangla.
“Many journalists have faced severe threats to their personal safety and been stopped from performing their legitimate duties.
“Shyamal Dutta, the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association’s own vice president and general secretary of the Bangladesh National Press Club (NPC), was targeted in these attacks.
“Attackers caused extensive damage to the NPC office as well as the offices of his newspaper. Mr. Dutta managed to escape during the attack at his newspaper but understandably, remains fearful for the safety of himself and his family.
“Mr Dutta and his family were prevented by immigration authorities from leaving Bangladesh in the aftermath of these attacks. They told him he was on a list of people who have been barred from exiting Bangladesh.
“We appeal to you to take prompt and effective steps to restore the rule of law in these cases, and to ensure that all journalists in Bangladesh enjoy freedom of movement and protection from acts of violence.”
* From self-censorship to documenting repression – media’s role in the toppling of Sheikh Hasina
* Why are there so many laws against a free media in Bangladesh?
* Outrage amid the grief as another journalist is killed in Bangladesh
The Commonwealth Journalists Association
International Executive Committee.
