Editorial
Harassing journalists in the line of duty
This tendency must be nipped in the bud
RECENTLY, to put it mildly, we have been at the receiving end of some MPs' rather disquieting proclivity towards flexing muscle to journalists for reports they couldn't feel comfortable about for the expose they have had to face.
The latest case in point is the agonising story of intimidation, threat and harassment Israt Hossain Lipton and Saimon Rahman Alit, Prothom Alo and Amar Desh correspondents respectively at Galachipa, Patuakhali, have been subjected to. It is alleged that the cronies of the Awami League lawmaker Golam Maula Roni have filed false cases against the two reporters in an attempt to avenge their expose on land grabbing on a river bank and setting up of a market under the patronage of the lawmaker. So threatened their family has felt about their safety that the wife and daughter of Prothom Alo journalist have moved from their residence at Golachipa to their remote village home.
In a predictable blasé attitude, the lawmaker sought to nail any impression about his role by saying that if the plaintiffs of the cases were to say that he had asked them to file the cases, he would then admit his guilt. Our correspondent was told to do his duty and not bother him.
Meanwhile, ruling party lawmaker Tarana Halim lent her voice to the cause by submitting a notice in parliament on the topic of repression on newsmen in Patuakhali. The Golachipa upazila chairman and president of upazila AL termed as unacceptable the harassment of journalists in Golachipa by ruling party men. Such support is invaluable, we commend it.
It has almost become episodic with each new government coming to power, especially on a massive electoral mandate -- usually lawmakers of a ruling party have a low tolerance threshold about news and views critical of them.
There were instances of local journalists fleeing the work place for fear of reprisal by any affected quarters. They tend to become bellicose to scribes of adverse reports that come perfectly under the legitimate purview of professional journalism. Apart from the fundamental question of the rule of law, the whole issue is inextricably linked to the role of press, press freedom and protection of public interest by providing the government with the information it needs.
The Awami League government has to only take the cue from the consequences that the BNP had to ultimately face owing to the excesses-ridden track-records of some of it lawmakers to avoid such costly pitfalls.
No less a person than the Prime Minister has only last week issued a stern warning against lawmakers' tendentious behaviour towards procuring undue advantages and influencing bureaucracy to tip in their favour. In effect, she has cautioned against any excesses on the part lawmakers that could only erode the credibility of the government.
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