Press Secretary expresses regret over attacks on 2 national dailies

Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the Chief Adviser, has expressed deep regret over the attacks on the offices of national dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star following the death of July mass uprising frontline activist and Inqilab Mancha Spokesperson, shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi.

The attacks, which took place on Thursday (December 18), involved vandalism and arson at the two media houses.

In a post shared on his verified social media account at 2:42pm on Friday (December 19), Shafiqul Alam said journalists working at the two newspapers had called him in distress during the incident, seeking help.

“I am deeply sorry to my journalist friends. I failed to stand by you at that moment,” he wrote, adding that despite making numerous calls to arrange assistance, help did not reach the scene in time.

He said all journalists trapped inside The Daily Star building were rescued, after which he went to rest around 5:00am. “By then, the two news outlets had already witnessed one of the most horrific attacks and arson incidents against the media in the country’s history,” he said.

Apologising to journalists, Shafiqul Alam wrote, “As a former journalist, I can only say I am sorry. I am ashamed.”

Meanwhile, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus spoke by phone with the editors of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, assuring them of the government’s full support.

Condemning the attacks, he said the violence against media institutions and journalists was “unwarranted and reprehensible” and reaffirmed that the government stands firmly beside the two newspapers.