Freedom of press in Bangladesh

We are now passing through a time when many feel insecure and unsafe. Violent robbery, where stabbing or shooting can lead to being wounded or even death, is no longer a rarity for those travelling outdoors any more than those at home. Abduction is similarly no rare visitation. Violent vengeance is the reaction these days to any slight, intentional or non-existent. No wonder the public reaction is equally desperate, when any cry for help sounds from the victims. Lynching of the culprits pointed out is frequently the dreadful result. Since this is the scenario for the general citizenry, it can be no surprise that journalists, especially those who go for improving the country's status by exposing those hindering all kinds of development, get threatened and, tragically killed, a few of them brutally. Our country is regarded as one of those where the journalists are very much at risk. In spite of this atmosphere, undoubtedly the media, certainly some outstanding sections, is carrying out a signal service in both the print and electronic media.

In today's world of Internet bolstered by the likes of CNN and BBC to quite an extent (despite BBC's occasional lapse into partisanship or removal of an item in repeat telecasts that is detrimental to certain quarters, a phenomenon common to most of our local TV stations, public or private) the viewers have become aware of what goes on in the world around them - both at home and abroad. So the viewers when they go to the print media are already better armed with far more background knowledge than ever before. That is why it has become essential to provide as exact data and informative news to the readers and viewers as possible. In fact, this has become the first duty of journalists today. Fair and authentic news allows a significant role to be played by the informed public, which works for strengthening democracy, and in turn helps to upgrade the fate of the people in society as well as ensure freedom of the press.

But political violence and social unrest make journalism risky. This is true in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world. Freedom of the press, can thus be regarded as an offshoot of freedom of thought, conscience and speech. So no democratic state that plays games with freedom of speech, including that bastion of democracy, the United States can expect there to be fairness and transparency where freedom of expression runs festooned in coercive invisible chains. The awful presentation of Muslims and Palestinians is one such media presentation in the West. Right after the Second World War Jews were not at all in the top position as sanctioned by the West. The birth of Israel itself had Soviet blessing! Why? Because the Israelis were socialists, unlike the capitalistic Palestinians. So the US of that day were for the Arabs wholehearted. It was Russian tanks that the Israeli army used in the first war when Israel was born according to UN mandate! And the USSR recognised Israel, not the US in the Israeli bid for UN membership. How the world changed - especially when Nasser emerged. One should read the media report of that Western world…

Yes, freedom of conscience is essential for developing the human personality, knowledge and civilisation. Freedom of speech and expression, therefore has to include freedom of press, otherwise the very foundation of democracy cannot be led with any amount of certainty. No ensuring of free expression, criticism and open discussion? Then democracy cannot function at all, leave alone smoothly. But this freedom, like other rights, can never be unfettered as it has to be given to the citizens, subject to a number of conditions, including the right of the persons to remain unassailed by the press reports. After all, if I am "free" to do anything, it is axiomatic that my neighbour be free too. When our paths cross, that is when we are mutually engaged in relationship same as my relationship with my immediate environment. In other words, if I am to be free, I need to respect his boundaries. But if he infringes on mine and others, then as a media person it is in my right of freedom to blow the whistle.

That is why establishing democracy and nursing it to maturity is impossible without the freedom of press and freedom of expression. In a democracy, the media and government has to come to each other's aid to build strong roots and flourish. A free media, if and when it has to find fault with the government, need to do it to correct the faults, not to discredit the government or provoke indignant or angry reactions. That is, no belittling as much as helping out by sounding the alarm bells. A democratic government constantly takes the help of the media, does not try to suppress it, while the media sings its praise for its achievements to inspire the citizens and other governments. Any attempt to restrict or limit press freedom to have a pet robotic media that is obedient in docile manner is the sign of a democratic system, which is sick.

Freedom of speech and expression and freedom of press, guaranteed by Article 39 (2) of the Constitution, though implicit, considering the importance of the print media, has been regarded by the framers of the constitution as to be so essential that it merits being mentioned separately. But these freedoms are subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by the law in the interests of the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. All the citizens of Bangladesh can exercise their freedom of speech and expression by remaining within the constitutionally stated horizon. If anybody oversteps the boundary she or he will be considered to have violated the constitutional provision and will be subject to sanction of law.

Collision of roles between newspaper editor and owner often undermines press freedom. Newspaper should be produced just and free, presenting a primarily real picture to the society. But the owners of some newspapers want to represent their personal views and thoughts - this is also applicable to the editor, others in the editorial hierarchy and the reporter oneself. In general, the editors want to focus on the right and correct situation to maintain professionalism. But some owners sometimes want to carry their own idea. This is one of the obstacles for freedom of press.

Without financial security, there can neither be professionalism nor press freedom. In our country, journalists get the most minimum salary. Irregular salary leading to unsuitable standard of lifestyle is also among the principal obstacles to press freedom and professionalism. Lots of newspapers are there, but the duration of publication many a newspaper is not secure. Most newspapers may be closed any day. For that reason, most journalists live in uncertainty. Inadequate salary is another reason why many journalists quit the profession and engage in other professions. Only a few newspapers pay the salary according to the Wage Board.

The Official Secrets Act is a major impediment to press freedom. The government is required to immediately enact and implement the proposed right to information act for ensuring people's fundamental right to know. But despite protestations of democratic principles, all political parties elected to power uptil now have been more concerned with dipping into the public till than enacting and implementing the right to information act.

In such a context police and political cadres exercise a brutality against journalists on the spot that is a continuing problem, particularly for photographers covering the country's growing political tensions. In May 2004, baton-wielding riot police on the Dhaka University campus beat seven photographers and camera operators who were covering the protests. When journalists staged their own demonstration in July to protest the mistreatment, intelligence officers assaulted nine photojournalists in full view of police. Such blatant display of impunity demonstrates in clear terms how democratic is our polity. The police need to be placed under proper authority right away and all cadres dispersed to leave politics with the politicians and academia in its pristine state with students exercising their franchise and nothing more. Otherwise freedom of press remains in jeopardy.

Photo: Habibur Rahman