Shahariar Islam Sovon :
The July Uprising of 2024 marked a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s socio-political landscape – a time defined by mass mobilisation, demands for justice, and an unmistakable call for democratic accountability. In the midst of this upheaval, journalists across the country played an indispensable and often courageous role: documenting the unrest, amplifying the voices of the public, and holding those in power to account, all while facing considerable personal and professional risk.
As events unfolded with startling speed, journalists found themselves operating under increasingly hostile conditions. The nationwide internet shutdown imposed during the height of the protests cast a shadow of uncertainty and isolation across newsrooms. Like many others, we at The New Nation experienced a profound sense of disorientation – it was as though we had been cast into a vast ocean without a compass. With little information emerging from Dhaka
or elsewhere, our team made a resolute decision: We would write for Bangladesh, and we would stand against authoritarianism.
Rather than weakening our resolve, the communications blackout only deepened our commitment. One of our photojournalists was physically assaulted in front of the Jatiya Press Club while covering the protests. Far from silencing us, this act of violence strengthened our determination. We resolved to publish the next edition of our newspaper at all costs – not merely as an act of journalism, but as a testimony to a dark and defining day in the country’s history.
In those critical hours, every member of the newsroom rose to the occasion. Editorial staff, reporters, sub-editors, computer operators, photographers, digital and online teams – each gave their utmost in the face of fear and uncertainty. The newsroom became a frontline. The courage, professionalism, and unity shown by our colleagues that day will remain an indelible chapter in our collective memory.
Across the country, journalists continued to document the crisis, tracking demonstrations, police crackdowns, and spontaneous gatherings. They recorded testimonies from students, workers, political organisers, and ordinary citizens – voices often ignored or distorted by official narratives. Amid a landscape clouded by misinformation, journalists served as one of the few credible conduits between the streets and the people.
Even state-run media organisations such as Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and, later, United News of Bangladesh (UNB), played an important role. Individual reporters within these institutions quietly worked under editorial constraints to ensure that essential truths made their way into print and broadcast.
Particularly remarkable was the work of photojournalists, who captured powerful and often harrowing images of protest, resistance, and violence. These images not only documented events in real time but have since become part of the visual archive of the uprising – testimonies etched in light and lens, many captured at significant personal risk.
Newspaper editorials and opinion columns across the media landscape also provided vital space for critical reflection. In veiled yet powerful language, they urged restraint, demanded accountability, and underscored the need to uphold constitutional rights and democratic principles. In doing so, they contributed to a broader national dialogue on justice and transparency.
Efforts were also made to connect with international media and human rights organisations. Despite restrictions, stories and visuals from the ground found their way to global platforms, triggering international concern and calls for observation and inquiry.
As Bangladesh reflects on the legacy of the July Uprising, it must also honour the journalists who stood firm – not just as chroniclers of history, but as defenders of democratic values. For those of us who lived through those days, the pen, the camera, and the keyboard became tools of resistance. In a time of silence, we chose to speak.
(The writer is researcher and journalist).
