Is government really interested in what happens to journalists?
Reporters Without Borders is disturbed by the latest case of violence
against journalists by a special police unit known as the Rapid Action
Battalion (RAB) and by recent media freedom violations by members of
the government.
"A climate of violence persists for journalists in Bangladesh,"
Reporters Without Borders said. "The current government initially
allowed the media to work without being exposed to threats but recent
press freedom violations have cast doubt on the firmness of its
undertakings. We urge the authorities to put a stop to illegal acts of
violence by the RAB."
Employees of Bangla Vision, a privately-owned TV station based in the
Dacca neighbourhood of Kathalbagan, were physically attacked on 12
September by members of the RAB, who took advantage of a dispute to
abuse their authority and target journalists.
The RAB intervened in response to a request by United Leasing, a
privately-owned company located in the same building, during a dispute
with Bangla Vision. When six RAB members arrived, dressed in plain
clothes, they fired shots in the air and attacked the TV station's
employees.
Bangla Vision employee Hasanul Islam Raihan was detained for two hours
and was badly beaten. Reporter Zahida Rahman, cameraman Russel Mizan
and another employee identified only as Monju were also injured.
After a meeting between senior RAB officers and Bangla Vision's
management at around 8 p.m. the same day, RAB representative Mohammad
Sohail said a "commission of enquiry" would be set up. Raihan was
released and was hospitalized for treatment of his serious injuries.
The government meanwhile published a bill on 12 September that would
ban privately-owned TV and radio stations from broadcasting programmes
that threaten national security and sovereignty or reflect negatively
on national figures. It would also oblige them to broadcast certain
government-generated content such as speeches by the president or
prime minister.
In another development, shipping minister Shahjahan Khan banned around
60 journalists from covering a news conference that the ministries of
the interior, shipping and communication gave on 11 September.
Although invited by the communication ministry, the journalists were
ordered to leave and had to wait outside. The three ministries have
recently been criticized by the media.
Bangladesh is ranked 126th out of 178 countries in the 2010 Reporters
Without Borders press freedom index.
http://en.rsf.org/bangladesh-is-government-really-interested-in-15-09-2011,40990.html
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