DBC News violated journalistic principles by removing female candidate from talk show: BSD

Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) has alleged discriminatory and insulting behavior towards its candidate Dr. Manisha Chakraborty as a female aspirant on DBC News' popular talk show 'Janata Darbar'.

The party has strongly condemned and protested against the incident.

In a joint statement on Sunday (January 28), BSD Barisal district unit members Shahidul Islam and Sujan Ahmed said that although Barisal-5 constituency MP candidate Dr. Manisha Chakraborty was invited to the DBC News programme, she was discriminated against in the programme management.

The statement said that although Dr. Manisha Chakraborty was given the opportunity to speak in the first part of the programme, she was not allowed to participate in the second part of the discussion. After about 20 minutes, her microphone was turned off and she was later practically removed from the discussion. This has curtailed the right of a female candidate to express her opinion in front of the audience.

The leaders of the BSD alleged that the DBC News authorities violated journalistic ethics by presenting false information and removing a female candidate from the talk show. They termed this as insulting and discriminatory behavior towards the female candidate.

The statement further said that the parliament is a democratic institution where all citizens, regardless of gender, have equal rights. However, by not giving a female candidate the opportunity to exchange views on the same stage, she has been devalued, which is an expression of a negative view towards female politicians.

The BAD leaders questioned, if a female candidate is refused to discuss equally with her on a talk show, how will she go to parliament and ensure women's rights and representation?

They said that this incident is not only an insult to a female candidate, but also a questioning of women's political participation, freedom of expression and constitutional rights.

The BAD Barisal district branch strongly condemned such behavior by the DBC News authorities and demanded an immediate explanation and acceptance of responsibility.