Stating that no media outlet in Bangladesh’s 53-year history had ever faced arson attacks like the recent ones, The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam on Sunday said the country is currently in a deeply devastated state, with its institutions being challenged and destroyed.
Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with editors and senior journalists at a city hotel ahead of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s homecoming, he also urged political parties to accept ‘critical journalism’ as essential for good governance and press freedom.
“Bangladesh is currently in a deeply devastated state as its institutions are being challenged and destroyed. Please remember that in the country’s 53-year history, no media office had ever been set on fire. For the first time, the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have been attacked with arson. Why did this happen? What crime did we commit?” Mahfuz Anam said.
He called upon media outlets to sincerely and responsibly ask why the offices of the two leading newspapers came under attack.
“At the same time, I want to look to the future. We aim to build a constructive and respectful relationship with the media. In this regard, my message is clear: freedom of expression must be step one. But for any political party, the most important principle is to ensure the freedom to express critical opinions,” the Daily Star Editor said.
He noted that while freedom of expression exists in the country, there is little space for expressing critical opinions.
“What we need is the freedom to criticise. One major experience from our 53 years of politics is that no government has ever fully accepted critical journalism. I hope that in a new Bangladesh, you will embrace critical journalism,” Mahfuz said.
He also said critical journalism is not only about freedom of the press but also an opportunity for good governance.
“You must nurture independent journalism. Of course, we have an interest in that. But you must also understand that if you do not want to hear the truth, you will make mistakes—and repeat them. Because you have never taken critical journalism seriously before,” the veteran editor said.
He warned political leaders that party members, intelligence agencies, and bureaucrats will not tell them the truth. “It is the independent media that will tell you the truth about the country. If you do not want to hear that truth, you will make mistakes.”
The editor expressed the hope that the new Bangladesh, to be built under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, will encourage critical journalism and independent media.
“Yes, I also admit that we do make mistakes. When that happens, what will you do? Will you condemn us? Will you try to destroy us? My request is that you always come to us and say, ‘Mahfuz Anam, this report of yours is not fact-based and incorrect.’ I promise that when you point out that my report is incorrect or not fact-based, I will apologise,” the Daily Star editor said.
Pointing to BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Mahfuz Anam said that although he appears media-friendly now, the real test will come once his party assumes power. “You are media-friendly now because your party is not in power. How media-friendly you will remain after coming to power will show how much you truly support independent journalism,” he added.
Criticising ethical lapses within the media, Mahfuz Anam said many editors have become public relations officers for owners. “Ethics, ethics and ethics—there is no alternative to ethical journalism in the future,” he said.
The Daily Star editor said building a new Bangladesh will require creating a new media environment, and this presents a unique opportunity for Tarique Rahman to do so.