Attack on journalists cannot go unpunished

Unruly elements purportedly backed by the government, attacked journalists who were covering the student demonstrations for safe roads. This is unthinkable in any civilised democratic country. Armed with sticks, iron rods, large knives and other such weapons, the attackers pounced on the journalists, brutally assaulting them, smashing their cameras and snatching away their mobile phones. Over 20 journalists were victims of such attacks, 12 of them seriously injured.

These government-backed hoodlums attacked the journalists in a planned and organised manner while they were on duty on Saturday and Sunday at the Science Laboratory intersection and Jhigatola. This was more than an attack on individual journalists, it was an assault on the media. We strongly condemn the incident.

Unrest spread across the country when force was used in an attempt to suppress the students’ demonstrations. At such times, it becomes all the more important to collect and disseminate accurate news. Responsible journalism is the best way to deal with countering fake news which can invariably spread through internet-based unprofessional news portals and the social media. But physically assaulting journalists and sending cautionary letters to the media offices, is simply counter-productive. And slowing down internet speed to disrupt communications can only propagate further speculations and result in a negative fallout.

The attacks on the journalists took place in front of the law enforcement. It was their duty to protect the journalists, but they just looked on as silent spectators. This simply cannot happen in a state where the rule of law prevails.

There are photographs and videos of the attacks on the journalists, and the police and intelligence agencies can easily collect information on the attackers. They must be arrested immediately and put on trial. If the government has adopted a policy to obstruct journalists from carrying out their professional duty, they should immediately move away from it. Such policies can only harm the government and the entire nation as a whole.

Given the global trend of fake news which causes damage to society, genuine and responsible journalism becomes of highest importance in countries like Bangladesh where political unrest prevails. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure the journalists’ security.

We hope not a single more journalist is attacked. They must face no obstruction in carrying out their professional duties.