In these troubling times where the media and state relations have become closely entwined, one hopes that the media’s right to report facts doesn’t become a casualty. Irresponsible and unprofessional reporting doesn’t qualify as media but any government’s ability to govern properly is threatened if the media feels threatened. Freedom of media is not negotiable right and no State survives by curbing press freedom.

Unfortunately, reporting by international media have created political problems within. International media –both western and Indian – have reported that Al-Qaida and other extremist elements are present in Bangladesh. Both have made allegations but India has added that the Pakistan embassy in Bangladesh is the center from which this is being carried out.

Major western periodicals have also reported that Al-Qaida, Harkat-ul Mujahadeen and other extremists elements are operating here. Bangladesh government has denied all the accusations.

But accusations and denials may not add up to much without media supporting that claim. In the last six months, there have been far too many reports for the matter to be swept away. But the response of the BD government has been to raise their voices rather than demand proof of guilt or present evidence of innocence by ensuring greater transparency in dealing with the issue.

The national media has generally taken a position of supporting that denial but it also must demand to know what are the evidences and if the accusers have provided any. If there is evidence that should be laid out for all to see and scrutinize. And if Bangladesh has nothing to hide it should invite all to come and see. Arrest and intimidation will only make other more suspicious.

The situation looks even more difficult because of the internment of two Channel 4 journalists and two local journalists working with them. This has caused international outcry and the manner in which they have been taken in is almost destined to be counter-productive. It will make the whole world wonder what Bangladesh has to hide. Since the team was working on Islamic fundamentalism, and it comes at a time when so many reports are circulating , the very conclusions that this government is trying to avoid will emerge. Especially, when we have the Jammat-e-Islami and other religious constituency based parties as part of the government who don’t have a track record that is helpful in such a crisis.

Why the Government didn’t move against them as soon as it became known what they were doing is a mystery that needs probing ? It was so easy to get rid of them if they had entered on false visa declarations if that was the intention. Their wait is either a sign of inadequate efficiency or some other plan that many now feel may be linked to curbing media freedom.

Was it really a threat ?

Some of the names of people interviewed are already known and they certainly don’t represent even the mainstream Islamists in Bangladesh. The documentary would have crashed under the weight of its own lack of quality. To charge them with “anti-state activities’ for doing a video on minority repression and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism is suicidal for Bangladesh in the present context.

The Government is also in an uncomfortable situation. If they are tried in it loses because trying European journalists will mean a price tag almost no country can pay. Bangladesh may become an international pariah state. And if they are allowed to go, it will mean a collapse of credibility of the entire actions taken and that they were right. Confiscating all the film will be worse and letting it be shown will be no better as it has received huge publicity.

Why weren’t they deported as soon as it became known is a question the media has a right to ask on behalf of the people?
 

As for the local journalists, it seems being part of the international media is being considered “seditious” a charge that has lost all seriousness of the term due to misuse. To deny media- national or international- the right to ask questions is to support curbing of freedom and that will generate the most destructive image that Bangladesh can have and doesn’t need at this time.

Dangerous over-enthusiasm?

Some must tell this government that one can’t browbeat the global media and nor are they as easy to coerce as the two local journalists now in remand whose sole crime seems to be to have worked as for them as professionals. If the police didn’t act even when the matter was in the national media, how would Saleem Samad and Priscilla know that working for them was seditious.

This is no time for over-enthusiasm. The very things that the Government is doing is

generating the image that it wants to avoid. By taking in an entire team of journalists including two women and resorting to rhetoric that makes the media look as the enemy will not get it better media anywhere.

As an elected government, it has the responsibility to ensure freedom of media, transparency and responding to criticism with facts and willingness to let themedia work freely. It also must realize that if it lets the Khatib of Baitul Muqarram to trash the USA in the presence of the Bangladesh President, conclusions will be drawn and for which the media can’t be held responsible.

Many will cheer the arrest and the subsequent actions but the professional media people supporting this government should be heard because they all know that it’s right now that the media should have the freedom to investigate, question and report.