Journalists under threat again

The story from Bogra has a familiar ring to it. Three local journalists quoted an upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) as saying that the word of the local MP was law to him, and that the former UNO had been transferred for not abiding by the MP's wishes.

On publication of this quote, the UNO has reportedly become incensed, and at a programme attended by ruling party leaders he termed the reporters as "enemies" and threatened to "beat them up publicly within a month."

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

It is possible that the officer came under pressure from the local ruling party leader, and that his strong statement in their presence was intended to protect himself. However, these possibilities do not excuse the action. Even if the officer has been misquoted there was no need to resort to intimidation. He could deny the statement and seek a retraction from the publications involved.

Nor is the fact that the statement might have got him in hot water any excuse. Sometimes officers such as him face pressure from local politicos, but it is never acceptable to threaten violence in order to protect oneself.

In any case, the threatening words of the UNO put fetters on the professional discharge of journalistic responsibilities, apart from presaging physical assault on them. The incident, therefore, calls for a probe followed by corrective action.

On the whole the incident underscores the travails of journalists in Bangladesh today.