“I am compelled to address and correct the inaccuracies and misleading assertions made by UNB in their recent report concerning my professional conduct and history. As a former political reporter for UNB, it is disappointing to see my professional integrity questioned based on erroneous information and omissions that compromise the journalistic values UNB professes to uphold.
Contrary to the report's opening claim that labels me merely as "a former press officer of Begum Khaleda Zia," I wish to clarify my role was that of an assistant press secretary to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia, during her tenure from 2001 to 2006. Post my contract with the government, I joined the UNB as a Political Reporter, a fact conspicuously absents from your narrative.
The allegation suggesting I misrepresented a quote from the foreign minister during a US State Department briefing is categorically false. On January 15, 2024, the BSS, the government’s own news agency; published the report titled ‘Hasan Mahmud appreciates India’s stance beside Bangladesh’.
The report reads, “Mahmud said there were conspiracies to tamper with the 2014 elections and efforts were made to make the 2018 elections controversial and questionable and during both the events “India was on our side". Not required yet I would respectfully point out that on December 2nd, 2023; India Today published a piece titled ‘Why India and China are in same camp in Bangladesh’s 'Battle of Begums’’ that reads “The January election in Bangladesh is crucial not just for the country but for several others. While India and China are in one camp, backing PM Sheikh Hasina”. Putting the question in context is practiced by journalists universally. Therefore, the question was posed in a professional manner, aimed at eliciting responses to contribute to an informed dialogue. And I am forced to believe that the baseless allegations of ‘misquoting and misrepresenting officials’ not only attempt to tarnish my reputation but also threaten to erode public trust in media institutions, a cornerstone of any democracy.
Additionally, the report's unfounded criticism of Just News BD as a disseminator of misinformation neglects the existence of a news outlet that is not loyal to the regime’s parroting, essential for a healthy democratic discourse.
In light of the diminishing press freedom in Bangladesh, as highlighted in the World Press Freedom Index, it is imperative for UNB to introspect its role in fostering an environment where journalism can thrive without fear or favor.
I stand by my commitment to uphold the principles of ethical journalism and urge UNB to reassess its report in light of the facts and in the spirit of fairness and accuracy.”
Editor's note: We are publishing the rejoinder as part of our policy of upholding fairness and a person's right to respond. However, we stand by our report as it was factual and based on interviews of academics.
The rejoinder did not contradict or contest any of the facts that we wrote in our report. Besides, Mr Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, an assistant press secretary to the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, never worked as a political reporter at UNB, though he was appointed temporarily as a staff correspondent for a short period of time.