Journalists play a crucial role in highlighting irregularities, corruption, and discrepancies within society. Through this work, they fulfill their responsibility toward society and the state. In a democratic system, this is of paramount importance. If journalists lose their right to publish the truth, society will lose its balance, and control will fall into the hands of miscreants. In such a scenario, not only will democracy suffer, but maintaining national unity will also become a challenge.
Unfortunately, journalism is becoming increasingly difficult in the country. Journalists are facing growing repression. Recently, a journalist in Chattogram was abducted and subjected to brutal torture. Afterward, the abductors left him unconscious on the roadside. When he regained consciousness, he cried out in agony, saying, “Please, don’t hurt me anymore; I won’t report on anything again.” Such incidents of harassment against journalists are occurring across the country, but justice remains elusive. Instead, legal actions are often used against them.
A Shocking Incident
News reports reveal that Golam Sarwar, executive editor of the news portal City News BD and a staff reporter for the weekly Ajker Surjodoy’s Chattogram bureau, was found unconscious on November 1 by passersby. Earlier, on the night of October 28, he was abducted on his way from his residence in Battery Gali to his family home in Chandanaish. After being missing for four days, he was discovered by the roadside in Kumira, Sitakunda Upazila. Sarwar has been admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
When journalist leaders visited him at the hospital, they reported that Sarwar’s account of the incident was alarming for professional journalists. According to his statement, the abductors blindfolded, bound, and tortured him in a hideout.
Meanwhile, the police have claimed they are reviewing CCTV footage and examining evidence but are waiting for a formal complaint from Sarwar. Abducting and torturing a journalist in such a manner is a grave crime. The case has several clues, and identifying the perpetrators should not be difficult if the police make a genuine effort. However, eight days have passed, and the investigation appears to lack substantial progress.
Statistics on Violence against Journalists
According to the human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra, 219 journalists across the country have faced attacks as of October this year. These attacks are largely influenced by a culture of politicized criminality. Journalists are targeted, harassed, and tortured at the behest of influential individuals with direct or indirect ties to the ruling elite.
Furthermore, the government’s Digital Security Act has become a major weapon against journalists. A report by The Daily Star indicates that 53 journalists faced cases under this act as of June. The ordeal of journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol exemplifies the severity of this issue. He was accused under the Digital Security Act and went missing before his arrest. After being missing for 53 days, he was found in poor health and subsequently detained by the police. The France-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) appealed to the Prime Minister for leniency in his case, but there seems to be no end to his suffering.
The Erosion of Freedom of Expression
Under immense pressure from the ruling powers, journalists in the country are already practicing self-censorship. Despite this, repression continues. The government has failed to uphold its commitment to protecting press freedom. On the contrary, the Digital Security Act has further muddied the waters, gradually shrinking the space for freedom of expression. This state of affairs cannot lead to positive outcomes.
Moreover, journalists themselves are not united in opposing oppression and rights violations. They have not collectively mobilized to defend their profession’s freedom. If they fail to take a strong stance for their own freedom, how will they safeguard the public’s right to information?
