Govt must ensure freedom of expression and journalist safety

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. People’s hopes, aspirations, and social-political rights are communicated and disseminated through the media. Therefore, for the establishment of a healthy democracy, media freedom is essential. However, history has shown that the media has often faced political interference. The less democratic a country is, the less freedom the media enjoys.

During Sheikh Hasina’s government, there have been repeated attempts to suppress the voice of the media, creating a culture of fear. Several newspapers and TV channels were shut down. Numerous journalists were harassed through cases filed under the Digital Security Act for publishing news. The mistreatment of Ariful Islam Rigan in Kurigram and Rozina Islam at the Dhaka Secretariat remain infamous incidents in the history of journalist abuse. A case was filed in all 64 districts against an editor simply for expressing his opinion. During the previous government, no action was taken against the perpetrators involved in most of the incidents of journalist abuse.

After the interim government, formed through a mass uprising, took charge, there is a renewed sense of hope. Many expect that the dignity, personal freedom, freedom of expression, and safety of journalists while performing their professional duties will be ensured. It has been reported that several media outlets, which were shut down during Sheikh Hasina’s rule, are reopening. The false case against journalist Rozina Islam has been withdrawn. These developments signal a positive future.

However, concerns have also arisen. Notably, on August 15, in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 area and several other locations, a group of young individuals obstructed journalists from performing their duties, seized cameras, deleted pictures, and physically harassed them. This was the same type of interference journalists faced during the Awami League government. That such an incident occurred even under the current interim government, formed through a historic mass uprising, raises serious concerns. Although anti-discrimination movement coordinator Sargis Alam and government advisor Nahid Islam have called these incidents on August 15 at Dhanmondi 32 violations of human rights, their statements, while timely, are not enough to ease public fears. It is essential to identify those responsible and take appropriate legal action.

It must be remembered that restricting media freedom can create a suffocating feeling among people, leading to public outrage. Therefore, the public must be given the opportunity to speak out. However, it is also true that just because one has access to the media does not mean they can say whatever they please. The media must also play a responsible role in disseminating information and opinions. Nevertheless, it is ultimately the government's responsibility to ensure freedom of expression and the safety of journalists while they perform their professional duties. If this responsibility is not fulfilled, neither the general public nor media workers will feel safe from fear.