Staff Reporter :
The Editors’ Council has issued a strong statement calling on the government to take swift action against incidents of mob justice, particularly those targeting media outlets.
This comes in response to a series of protests, vandalism, and sit-ins outside prominent media offices, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, which have raised serious concerns about the state of media freedom in Bangladesh.
In a statement released on November 26, the Editors’ Council condemned the recent unrest in front of media offices, stressing that such actions are a direct threat to press freedom and the practice of journalism in the country. The council urged all concerned parties to respect media independence and avoid activities that undermine this fundamental right.
The protests, which began earlier in November, escalated into incidents of vandalism and tension at Prothom Alo’s headquarters in Karwan Bazar and other locations such as Rajshahi, Chattogram, and Brahmanbaria.
On November 24, a group of protesters, including teachers and students from Islamic institutes, gathered outside Prothom Alo’s office to voice their objections to what they described as the newspaper’s perceived pro-Indian stance.
The protestors attempted to hold a mass feast and symbolic protests in front of the office, but their efforts were interrupted when the police intervened and detained several individuals. Similar protests were also staged in front of The Daily Star’s office.
The Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) has expressed deep concern over these events, labeling them as an attack on press freedom. “The freedom of the press is under serious threat from these disruptive activities,” the organization said in a statement. It strongly condemned the incidents of sit-ins, attacks, and vandalism and called for immediate action against those responsible for inciting chaos.
The Editors’ Council reiterated its position that any objections to news content or editorial policies should be voiced through peaceful, intellectual means, such as written statements.
The council warned against the use of mob tactics to silence media outlets, which they believe undermines the integrity of journalism. “Attempts to create chaos disrupt the practice of journalism and threaten the free exchange of ideas,” the statement read.
The Editors’ Council welcomed the comments made by Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam, who assured that the government does not support vandalism or attempts to shut down media houses.
Speaking on November 25, Islam expressed the government’s firm stance against mob justice and promised legal action against those involved in the attacks. “We will not tolerate such actions in the future,” he said, emphasizing that any grievances with media outlets should be expressed peacefully, in accordance with the law.
The government’s commitment to taking legal action was reiterated after a series of protests, including one on November 24 in front of Prothom Alo’s office, where five individuals were detained by the police.
The protests were organized by a group who accused the newspaper of siding with Indian interests. Similar protests have been held in various parts of the country, further escalating tensions around the media’s role in the political discourse.
The government’s quick response and commitment to ensuring law and order, coupled with the Editor’s Council’s call for a crackdown on mob justice, highlight the ongoing conflict over media freedom in Bangladesh.
While the protests against Prothom Alo and The Daily Star have highlighted deep political and ideological divides, there is growing concern over the way these protests are being handled-especially as they increasingly target media institutions that play a crucial role in shaping public opinion.
These events have sparked a broader debate about the state of media freedom in Bangladesh. Media outlets, particularly those that report on sensitive political issues, have been increasingly targeted by protests, vandalism, and government scrutiny in recent months. Critics of the government argue that such incidents are part of a broader pattern of attempts to control the media and suppress dissent.
As tensions continue to rise, the Editors’ Council and other media organizations are calling for a peaceful resolution and the protection of journalistic freedom. They urge the government to ensure that any protest actions are conducted within the bounds of the law and that media outlets are free from harassment or intimidation.
