Fri 9 Nov 2007
In light of the recent discussion, the recent mostly positive economist report, perhaps, will break a few hearts for one paragraph in it. That one paragraph, perhaps, will prevent it from reaching past Bangladeshi customs. Even though, the more scary part of the article is the one which describes the current state of Bangladesh economy.
For the regime, the anti-graft drive has had some useful side-effects. The intelligence services are systematically acquiring shares in private media companies, by offering the release from detention of their owners in return. Mr Zoellick called for a transparent battle against corruption, consistent with the rule of law. That will be a long, hard struggle in Bangladesh
Can anyone share more on this serious allegation by Economist of “intelligence services systematically acquiring shares in private media companies”. CSB TV channel, if you remember, still has not got the chance to win back his broadcasting rights. What’s the cost?
AFP, along the same line, reports on the release of the two business tycoons. I wonder what was the cost there as well.
Abdul Awal Mintoo, a two-time president of Bangladesh’s top trade body, was released on bail on Thursday night, deputy inspector general of prisons major Shamsul Haider Siddiqui said.
His release follows that of Abul Khaer Litu, another prominent businessman who has stakes in cable television and hotels, Siddiqui said.
Mintoo, who also has stakes in insurance, banking, shipping and agriculture, said his release would raise morale in the business community.
“I hope my freedom will bring ease to ordinary businessmen. The economy will gain pace. Democracy will falter without a strong economy,” he told the private bdnews24 news agency.
Here is a list of recent state of Bangladeshi print media and their owners.
Ittefaq (one of the owners sentenced and is currently absconding)
Prothom-Alo (owner was named in leaked ACC corruption target list and was later dropped)
Jugantor (owner is in jail)
Shamokal (?)
Jaijaidin (Bashundhara owner sentenced and is absconding)
Sangbad (no noted action)
Bhorer Kagoj (owner Awami leader Saber H. chowdhury is silent in the recent turmoil)
Janakantha (owner arrested )
Naya Diganta (no action)
Ajker Kagoj (shut down)
AmarDesh (ownder Falu — arrested)
Inqilab (filed for bankruptcy)
Manab Zamin (no action. )
Amader Shomoy (no action. Accusation of its military attachment up was defended by the editor)
Sangram (no action)
Din Kal (owner Tareq Rahman arrested)
Daily Star (same as prothom alo above. Owner put in a list and later dropped)
New Age (no action)
New Nation (no action. Owner is an adviser of the govt)
Independent (owner arrested)
Observer (no action)
Financial Express (on action)
Can someone do a list on electronic media please?
November 9th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
The aforementioned paragraph may break hearts, but these lines hurt a lot more
“Economic nationalism is strong; the bashing of multilateral lenders is a hobby of the chattering classes.”
I wonder what the writer is insinuating by idly refering to our views on the world bank as ‘bashing’ ‘hobby’. These words bear connotations of us being an idle society that likes to complain without due cause.
Moreover, this article over-states the role of donor agencies. (In my opinion of course)
“Despite all this, aid is piling in. Soon after “1/11”, as Bangladeshis call the declaration of a state of emergency on January 11th this year, donors saw a window of opportunity to speed up the process of turning impoverished Bangladesh into a middle-income country.”
This implies that our growth is intrinsically dependent on the amount of aid we receive from donor agencies/countries- who’re trying to ‘turn’ us ‘impoverished’ people into ‘middle-income’ country (who would better afford the donor-country goods and services).
Btw, this article fails to mention the growth in DSE, which, for the first time, is attracting portfolio investment. May be someone can verify with docs/articles/stats, because my knowledge is second hand.
November 9th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
remember our beloved General Massud censored the “0ne way or other the future is green article” published in the Economist regarding Bangladesh. The contents and pages of the magazine were missing. Too bad they couldn’t censor economist.com
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:14 am
[...] reach Dhaka, but its allegation is very disturbing. Over at the Unheard Voices, there is a list of the print media owners in Bangladesh. We understand that immediately after the coup last [...]