Press freedom must be protected: The Daily Star

DHAKA – It is a testament to our unique times that journalists have to fight the same abuse and harassment they faced during an authoritarian government. But it hurts even more today because the expectations raised by the student-led mass uprising that toppled the Awami League government have been heightened. We understand that the caretaker government that replaced them needs time to gain full control and bring about change, but the responsibility of ensuring a safe environment for journalists lies primarily with them and the political and pressure groups active on the ground.

That life would not be easy for journalists after Sheikh Hasina's ouster became clear the same day when at least eight television channels and three newspaper offices in Dhaka were attacked. Many assumed that these were spontaneous reactions and would not be repeated, but subsequent events, particularly on August 14 and 15, have shattered this prediction. On August 14, as many as 20 journalists were injured when the Chattogram Press Club was attacked and ransacked. On the same day, a journalist was hacked in Pirojpur. The next day, BNP leader Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu threatened to burn down media houses that published photographs of Sheikh Hasina. Also on August 15, several journalists were attacked and even forced to delete photographs they had taken at 32 Dhanmondi Road in Dhaka on the death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In fact, the scenes that unfolded in Dhanmondi were quite disturbing: young men interrogated passersby, checked their IDs and phones, and abused visitors who had come to pay their last respects to Bangabandhu. They also prevented any documents from being produced by making announcements over loudspeakers instructing journalists and spectators not to film. Many of these young men were armed with iron rods, plastic pipes, bamboo and wooden sticks. These harsh measures were apparently part of efforts to prevent a so-called counter-coup by the Awami League and its allies. The BNP and its student wing staged sit-ins at various locations in Dhaka, and the Students Against Discrimination movement held a “Week of Resistance” program. Although none of them claimed responsibility for the harassment, this only shows how chaotic the situation is at the moment.

Obviously, in such a situation, it is not just press freedom that is at stake; human rights in general are also being violated. This is painful to see in the wake of an uprising that sought to free people from those very shackles of oppression and subjugation. It is obvious that fascism has not left the building, even if the fascists have. The right to publish, to speak, to organize or to mourn is sacrosanct. However, it was heartening to see student leaders vowing to protect these rights. At least four key coordinators of the student movement have publicly condemned the excesses in Dhanmondi and elsewhere. They warned against “fake platforms” claiming to represent students and also promised to ban anyone found guilty of human rights violations from their platform.

We welcome the swift and decisive condemnation. But it is important to remind student leaders that they must be more cautious in the future. Other political forces now active and pursuing their own agenda must also answer for any crimes committed or instigated in their name. Most importantly, the transitional government must take strong measures to prevent such crimes, especially against journalists. Together, they must prevent a return to the excesses that the past regime made a habit of.