Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has raised concerns following the removal of 21 employees from a media outlet’s office during the night, labeling the incident as an attempt to instill a “climate of fear” within the press.
During an event held at TIB’s office in MIDAS Centre, Dhanmondi, Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman expressed worry over the incident, stating that it has established a “worrying precedent.” The event was organized to commemorate the launch of a report titled “Referendum and Pre-Election Situation: TIB’s Observations.”
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman strongly condemned the nocturnal removal of Bangladesh Times employees, emphasizing that detaining all staff members of an organization without specific accusations is entirely unacceptable. He highlighted that regardless of the justification, such actions set a highly negative and aggressive standard for free journalism in Bangladesh.
The Executive Director emphasized that if there were concerns regarding any news coverage, there are proper legal and institutional channels to address them. He criticized the authoritarian manner in which individuals were taken into custody, stressing that it has created a pervasive climate of fear throughout the media landscape in Bangladesh.
Referencing recent incidents of violence, theft, and arson at the premises of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman questioned the role of law enforcement agencies, including the military. He cited a recent statement by the army praising the media as the “mirror of the nation” and advocating for fearless reporting, pointing out the contradiction in light of recent events.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman went on to question whether such actions could have been carried out without approval from higher authorities. He challenged the notion that any army officer could undertake such actions without authorization, raising concerns about the breakdown of command and control within the military.
The TIB leader urged the army and all institutions to refrain from engaging in such activities, emphasizing the importance of finding solutions to combat the escalating pressures facing free media in Bangladesh.
