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 →
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 →
As elsewhere in the world, the news media is also struggling to survive in Bangladesh. But the scenario is somewhat different from that of the developed democracies. In the developed democracies the news media enjoys absolute freedom and almost no interference from the government. It also enjoys constitutional and legal protection (First Amendment in the... 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 →
Killing the truth has never been an easy task, yet people in society tend to kill it for their own good by shunning the greater interest of the society. When they cannot kill the truth, the individual or group makes every attempt to assassinate the character of the individual who holds the truth. A deplorable... Continue Reading →
When I first met Mizan in Dhaka, he was wearing an elbow crutch to help him walk, accompanied by his elderly father. Mizan had suffered custodial torture at a local police station at Bauphal in Patuakhali. The son-father duo came to Dhaka to file a writ petition seeking proper investigation in a case filed by... Continue Reading →
Each year journalists, news media and supporters of free and independent journalism across the world celebrate November 2 as a red-letter day for journalism. The UN General Assembly declared this day as the “International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists” in General Assembly Resolution A/RES/68/163. It urged the member states to adopt and... Continue Reading →
The world at present is encountering remarkable challenges in promoting governance, democracy, transparency, press freedom and economic development. For sustainable development, good governance is a must for any nation. Media is an important source of information and it plays a critically important role in shaping a healthy democracy and bolster good governance. But there is... Continue Reading →
মুক্তচিন্তা (muktochinta) 