BANGLADESH
By Kazi Nabil Ahmed, Executive Editor, Daily Ajker Kagoj
24 February 2003

Bangladesh has now been a democracy - though an imperfect one - for last twelve years. The print media was at the vanguard of the movement for democracy and afterwards has worked towards upholding it. The media is now freer then it has ever been historically since 1947 but even then the situation is not ideal. In last twelve years a new generation of daily newspapers have come in the market to cater to the need of the readers and have played a crucial role in building democracy. The historic roles that were played by Pakistan Observer, Sangbad and Ittefaq was taken up by Daily Ajker Kagoj, Bhorer Kagoj, Janakantha, Prothom Alo and Jugantor in the 90's. Also the new dimension in media has been the addition of the electronic media. A terrestrial Television network was given permission to operate and the company Ekushey gained huge popularity in a short time. Also two satellite networks were given permission to work as entertainment channels.

The scene was very vibrant and promising for the media over all. There has been three general election in last twelve years involving changing of power every time between the two main parties. The laws that were in the book under Special Power Act of 1974, which could be used censor and close newspapers was partially rescinded in 1991. Having got rid of the Press muzzling statutes has also helped in all the new generation of papers to come out in the 90's. So at present there are no laws in the book that can be used to close down any paper. But there are other ways of dealing with irritating press reports or troublesome editorial policies of certain papers. One of the main reasons for this is that most of the press has also become very biased in its political leanings. The two parties can easily divide the papers into friendly and unfriendly groups. The papers also easily play into this categorization and this has proceeded to the level of owners and even journalist unions are now divided into two different politically oriented camps. Most of the owners of papers and now the electronic media have many other business and some are in direct politics as well. So it is very easy for the government of the day to look very closely at the tax returns of the unfriendly newspaper owner or editor. And also hold up business permission or even interfere through different regulatory or controlling bodies of those concerned business. A newspaper owner does not have to suffer from withdrawal of government advertisements only but also can be made inconvenient in other ways as well. Also newspapers also take up these issue and start attacking governments unreasonably as well.

A recent sad episode for the media has been the closure of the Ekushey television channel. A case was brought against the company by some citizens that their license was not given legally and accuse them of other loopholes. The concerned citizens among whom are one eminent unionist journalist and academics are all well known to have strong government backing and link. The high court and Supreme Court did rule the license to be illegal and it closed down. The Ekushey channel was known to have pronounced opposition leaning since it was given permission during their tenure. But the popularity of Ekushey was immense and a lot of people felt that their licensing loopholes were not crime of commission but of omission. Had the political change not happened then they may not have gone out of business. Since then the two other satellite channels are broadcasting news but their reach is not into the interiors of Bangladesh. Also now they are compelled to broadcast all Government Channel news in addition to their own which becomes very cumbersome for viewers.

Another episode which touches upon the press freedom is the arrest of several journalist and columnists. The foreign reporters of Channel Four of UK were arrested with two of their local associates for allegedly making tapes of religious fundamentalists in Bangladesh. The two foreigners were quickly released because of diplomatic pressure but the two unfortunate locals were in incarceration for months and subjected to brutal torture and interrogation. Also two well-known columnists with leaning towards the opposition were also jailed on charges of treason. One of them was arrested twice. These arrests have led to a feeling of insecurity among journalists and columnists. Also this past week three Editors and Publishers of three reputed local dailies were hauled up before the high court on charges of contempt of court and one of them was sentenced to one month in prison. But before long the senior lawyers argued for mercy and got it from the judge but not before severe rebuke about the press and the profession of journalism from the said judge. All these incidents are leading to a situation of intimidation for journalists.

Overall the media is free in Bangladesh but it can be easily held in duress. The way out of it is more maturity in the media and also the some conciliation between the political camps to live and let live.