Bangladeshi people once had deep faith in journalists, looking up to the media sector for upholding untainted truth, but gone are the days, thanks to the 15-year Awami League autocratic rule.
Media flattery and self-censorship favouring government policies were prevalent even under the BNP government, but prolonged undemocratic Awami League rule has made these a habit, making journalists categorically eulogise even the current apolitical interim government.
Once, a long time ago, even poor and illiterate people respected journalists, even if there was no space in the publications for their personal opinions, for upholding the grievances and sufferings of marginalised people. But even the downtrodden people, who are always in need of urgent attention, have lost faith in media sector.
This crisis has developed overtime, and journalists, particularly those belonging to the print media industry, have themselves to blame. The journalistic ethics have been massively eroded during the Awami League regime through widespread politicisation of the noble profession, as well as hanker after illegal state gifts and fear of state-sponsored repercussion.
Fear of government crackdown has forced journalists to adopt self-censorship after years of cultivating the practice under pressure.
Some journalists are openly supporting the current interim government. Previously, television channels were dominated by Awami League propaganda; now, it seems they are promoting the interim government or even BNP propaganda, assuming BNP might come to power. True journalism is still absent.
Journalists recall being jailed, fined, or sued for criticising the Awami League. Now, they are again hesitant to criticise BNP or Jamaat, worrying about potential future retaliation as these parties are highly likely to come to power following general elections. As a result, authentic and objective journalism remains elusive in Bangladesh.
The interim government and subsequent administrations must understand that journalists are not enemies of the government. Their role is to critique, highlight mistakes, and expose corruption. This is their training and responsibility. Governments should view journalists as allies, not adversaries, and address the issues they raise instead of treating them as threats. Unfortunately, this perspective has not been strongly communicated by the interim government or the opposition parties like the BNP. Journalists, especially in rural areas, still fear repercussions from local BNP activists for critical reporting, reminiscent of the previous regime.
True journalism is grounded in honesty, accuracy, and impartiality. However, in recent years, Bangladeshi journalism has been marred by partisanship, with journalists switching allegiances between political factions rather than maintaining fairness. Fundamental journalistic ethics, such as presenting accurate information, avoiding bias, and ensuring justice, need to be reinstated. Training young journalists on ethical practices is essential, including respecting privacy, particularly for vulnerable individuals like women and children.
Bangladesh's professional sectors, including journalism, have suffered from political interference and erosion of integrity. Reforms are needed to restore respect for all professions. Additionally, restrictive laws like the Official Secrets Act of 1923 and the Special Powers Act of 1974, which hinder press freedom, must be amended.
For journalism to thrive, journalists must have job security, fair wages, and freedom from censorship—whether from the government, employers, or advertisers. Without these changes, the future of ethical and responsible journalism in Bangladesh remains uncertain.
The writer is a professor at Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka
BDST: 1220 HRS, JAN 13, 2025
