The use of the Digital Security Act (DSA) to target journalists in Bangladesh is deeply concerning and goes against the principles of free journalism and freedom of expression. A free and independent press is essential for any democratic society, and journalists must be allowed to report on issues of public interest without fear of retaliation... Continue Reading →
The erosion of institutional integrity is a significant issue. It is leading to a loss of faith in the democratic process of the country. When we lose confidence in the integrity of institutions, we become disillusioned with the democratic process The phenomenon of high-ranking bureaucrats joining political parties after retirement is a matter of concern... Continue Reading →
Despite the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh witnessed magical growth in per capita income, which rose from $2,591 in 2020-21 to $2,824 in 2021-22. She also outshined India in 2020 in terms of GDP per capita in the current $1961.6. While the country did exceptionally well in these indicators, it performed very poorly in... Continue Reading →
There is ample evidence to suggest that instead of being a supporter of press freedom, governments in democracies have adopted direct and indirect controlling measures forcing the media to give them favourable treatment. The media is often considered to be the fourth pillar of democracy—while the other three pillars are the legislature, executive and judiciary.... Continue Reading →
What a Mexican film teaches us about governance La Dictadura Perfecta is a Mexican movie released in 2014. In English, it means The Perfect Dictatorship. The movie is about a nexus of corruption between the government, bureaucracy, and the media that savagely criticized the government of Enrique Pena Nieto, who served as the president of... Continue Reading →
We are far from having accountable and transparent institutions that protect every citizen The unnatural death of a young woman in a flat in Gulshan has once again sparked many questions that we have been facing for many years -- some are related to the age-old patriarchal mindset and norms while some are related to... Continue Reading →
How the DSA poses a threat to press freedom Bangladesh is now a development model for the rest of the world. The country has done so well the US president is now being advised to learn from Bangladesh -- a country that rose from a war-ravaged country in 1971 to one of the fastest-growing world... Continue Reading →
"The US politics has failed its people, but the institutions have acted the exact way they were designed – protect the country from the personal vendetta of an elected but authoritarian president. The institutions have resisted a full-frontal attack" For the first time in the history of the United States, a president has been impeached... Continue Reading →
The Chief Election Commissioner of the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has made it clear that we have an electoral system that is in many ways performing better than that of the United States. He said that there is no such commission in the US and that it can count votes within minutes, while the US... Continue Reading →
Eleven people have so far been arrested in connection with the Noakhali gang rape. Most of the suspects were arrested within days after the video of the heinous crime landed on social media. The graphic content rattled the nation as people of different quarters took to the streets across the country demanding justice. What would... Continue Reading →
মুক্তচিন্তা (muktochinta) 