Students protest and role of ‘Mass Media’ in Bangladesh
By Sifat Kabir
On July 15, 2024, students from Dhaka University gathered for a peaceful protest, holding placards and flags, and calling for quota reforms in government jobs. The protest took a violent turn when activists from the government-backed Chhatra League attacked the demonstrators with iron rods, sticks, and other weapons, injuring nearly 100 students, according to a report by the Daily Star.
In a press conference on July 14, Prime Minister Sheik Hasina assured that the protesters could continue their demonstration as long as they remained peaceful. However, the situation escalated when Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that Chhatra League would give the student protesters "a fitting response," which many interpreted as a call for violence (Daily Star, July 15).
This raises a critical question: what role did Bangladesh's media play during this crisis? This question is on the minds of hundreds of youths and their guardians.
"Truth," "accuracy," and "objectivity" are the cornerstones of journalism ethics. When journalists share political ideologies with those in power, impartiality in journalism becomes compromised. While personal political beliefs are natural, they should not influence professional reporting.
Bangladesh’s leading daily, Prothom Alo, published an article titled "Such Hunger for Power Among Journalists Has Never Been Seen Before" (Sangbadikder Moddhe Eto Khomotar Khudha Agey Dekha Jai Ni). The article stated that affiliation with power alienates journalists.
On July 24, a senior journalist at an Editors Guild event declared his allegiance to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saying he was "ready to do anything if necessary" (Prothom Alo, July 24, 2024). This statement raised serious concerns among those committed to unbiased journalism.
Similarly, on July 27, 2024, the Liberation War Spirit Journalist Forum condemned the violence during the quota reform movement and expressed full support for the measures taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to restore order (Prothom Alo, July 28, 2024). These statements highlighted the close relationship between journalists and those in power.
The lust for power has become a disease in journalism. When journalists are "ready to do anything necessary" or give "full support to actions taken" by political powers, the line between power and journalism becomes blurred.
Journalism should be about dispassionate analysis, objectivity, and unbiased presentation. The current situation in Bangladesh has revealed an alarming situation where the public's trust in the media is eroding.
On July 18, 19, and 20, the general public expressed grievances towards journalists covering the student movement. This raises the question of why there is such hatred towards the media. Were journalists prevented from performing their duties impartially?
The people of Bangladesh always demand and deserve a media that upholds the highest standards of fairness, integrity, and impartiality. Only through a steadfast commitment to truth, accuracy, and objectivity can journalism reclaim its vital role in society and serve as a beacon of democracy and accountability.
Sifat Kabir is a journalist at Banglanews24 and researcher.
