Editorial
Attack on journalists
Becoming a regular feature
Shocking as it may sound; journalists in the country are regularly incurring the wrath of the powerful elites in society especially those involved in either in illegal activities or misuse of power. The latest incident of bodily harm to be suffered by a journalist took place in Pabna where the district representative of a national daily was assaulted in public allegedly led by a nephew of a ruling lawmaker for the 'crime' of having reported on the misdeeds of this individual. Today we are re-enacting the scripted drama all over again. A case has been filed against the perpetrators and the police are very active in trying to nab those accused, but for reasons known or unknown, they are yet to be successful. Protests by journalists continue in the meantime and a rally has been organised demanding justice.
What a strange situation we are in! Today the journalist in question is fighting for his life at a district hospital since the perpetrators acting with complete immunity could beat this man in broad daylight with murderous intent. This is certainly not the first time media actors have fallen foul of vindictive attitude of either ruling MPs or their cronies. In January, another ruling Awami League lawmaker Kamal Ahmed Majumder assaulted a female television journalist in Dhaka when she sought his comments on excessive admission fees being charged. The point here is that when lawmakers of the land decide that they are above the law and may mete out their own brand of 'rough justice' upon those perceived to be a threat, society can be deemed to be in serious jeopardy. For, if we are to accept this sort of behaviour as routine and acceptable, then the whole notion of 'rule of law' being the basis of a just society becomes null and void.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments