Staff Reporter :
The recent statement released by the Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) has sparked a wave of protests from the newspaper industry, political parties, and corruption watchdog groups across the country. The statement has raised serious concerns about its implications for press freedom and democratic values.
Representatives from the newspaper industry have expressed deep dismay, believing the statement could severely curtail press freedom in Bangladesh. On Monday, the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) declared that such a statement would provide moral support for corrupt officials.
Regarding this issue, NOAB stated that the media regularly disseminates reports evaluating various achievements and good deeds of the police. “However, when individuals in responsible government positions misuse their authority to amass significant wealth not commensurate with their known income, the media also diligently investigates such matters and responsibly publishes them,” it said.
NOAB further emphasized that in the event of any inaccuracies in reporting on these matters, the respective news media outlets bear responsibility. “If necessary, the concerned organization or individual should seek recourse to the
Press Council following relevant rules and regulations,” NOAB stated. The association criticized the Police Service Association for not following this path and instead requesting the mass media to be more cautious while reporting on the police force.
NOAB asserted that this request goes against the spirit of media independence and impartial journalism. “The letter from the Police Service Association has tarnished their own image and ethically encouraged corrupt officials,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) demanded the withdrawal of the statement released by the police association. In a press release on Monday, CRAB President Kamruzzaman Khan and General Secretary Sirajul Islam stated, “Recently, various media outlets have reported that several current and former police officers have become owners of unnatural wealth. We do not believe this news was published with any specific motive.” “Journalists always publish responsible and fact-based news. Recent reports about several current and former police officers have been part of that consistency,” they said. CRAB also mentioned that the language used in the BPSA’s recent statement poses a threat to independent journalism and raises concerns that the personal misconduct of some officers may be encouraged.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union and Dhaka Journalists Union also protested the police statement, while the Dhaka Reporters Unity, Editors Council, and Transparency International Bangladesh expressed their concerns. The main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, also protested the statement released by the police association.