Journalists attacked, arrest the culprits

Unruly persons, allegedly backed by the government, launched an attack on journalists gathering news on the students’ demonstrations for safe roads. This is unthinkable in any civilised democratic country. The attackers swooped down on the journalists, mercilessly assaulting them with sticks, rods and machetes. They smashed their cameras and snatched away mobile phones. Over 20 journalists were attacked and 12 of them were injured.

Ruling party-backed armed cadres carried out organised attacks on the journalists at Jhigatola and Science Laboratory intersections on Saturday and Sunday. This is indeed an attack on the entire media. It is also an assault on the free flow of information and people’s right to know. We condemn the attack.

When force is used to control peaceful demonstrations of the students demanding road safety, tension spreads across the entire country. The importance of accurate news increases under such circumstances. Unless accurate news is circulated, fake news spreads through the social media and other outlets. It is particularly important at such times to uphold true and professional journalism.

Assaulting journalists and imposing orders on news outlets, go against the spirit of true journalism. Rumours spread fast if communication is controlled by slowing down internet service. This can cause the overall situation to deteriorate further.

The attacks on the journalists were carried out in presence of law enforcers. It was their professional duty to provide security and protect journalists from the attacks. Instead of doing so, they remained silent spectators. These organised attacks by the miscreants on the journalists are criminal offences. These took place in front of the law enforcers. Instead of combating the crime, they looked on in silence. This cannot happen in a country where the rule of law prevails.

Photographs and video footage of the attacks on journalists have been published in the newspapers. It is not difficult at all for the police and intelligence agencies to collect information about the attackers and identify them. They must be arrested and brought to book immediately.

If the government has adopted a policy to obstruct journalists from carrying out their professional duties, they should abandon this policy immediately. After all, this can only harm the government and the country as a whole.

Fake and distorted news has become a global trend and creates problems. In a country of volatile politics like Bangladesh, it is imperative to have objective and responsible journalism. Freedom of the press is a constitutional right. The safety of journalists must be ensured. This is the responsibility of the government. We hope no more journalists come under attack and they are no longer obstructed from carrying out their professional duties.