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print versionDhaka Tribune, 18 February 2015
Press must be free to report the news - Dhaka Tribune Editorial
Dhaka Tribune Editorial
The recent case filed against the editor of The Daily Star is regrettable. Such cases serve only to chill the freedom of the press
The recent case filed against the editor of The Daily Star together with two staff for publishing a photograph of a poster circulated by the banned group Hizb ut-Tahrir, which calls upon the armed forces to topple the government, is regrettable.
It would have been better had the case not been accepted, as it is manifestly clear that the newspaper’s intent was merely to inform the public and to highlight the irresponsible and unlawful nature of the poster, not to endorse its content or to create unrest.
The relevant section of the penal code makes clear that, to be actionable, publication must be done with the intent or likelihood of causing public mischief, and the context of the photograph’s publication, including the accompanying text, demonstrates that such intent was absent.
Now that the court has taken cognisance of the matter, we would hope that the issue will be dealt with swiftly and that the unfairly impugned newsmen are exonerated as a matter of course, following the inquiry that has been ordered.
Such cases serve only to chill the freedom of the press and stand in the way of the media’s duty and responsibility to inform the public. While journalistic irresponsibility must be avoided at all costs, this was not such a case, and to suggest that it was does the newspaper in question a grave disservice.
The authorities must be able to distinguish between news published with the best of intentions and that published to try to stir up trouble, because, if they begin to confuse the two, then media will not be able to report on important news that the public needs to know.
The ultimate loser will not be just the press, but the entire citizenry, who will remain unaware of information they have a right and a need to know.
[see also the report in The Daily Star
PM warns Daily Star
Star Online Report
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at the Parliament. Photo: PMO
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today warned of actions against the country’s leading English daily, The Daily Star, for what she said “patronising banned militant organisation Hizb-ut Tahrir by publishing its poster†.
"Action will be taken against those who tried to patronise Hizb-ut Tahrir by publishing its poster," she told the parliament amidst thumping of desks by lawmakers.
"Publishing a poster of a banned organisation means helping its publicity," she added.
Ruling Awami League and opposition Jatiya Party lawmakers supported the PM’s observations by shouting “yes†.
Hasina, also leader of the House, was replying to a query from JP lawmaker Pir Fazlur Rahman who had wanted to know whether the premier would take any measurers against Hizb-ut Tahrir so that it cannot emerge in Bangladesh like Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East.
Referring to The Daily Star, the PM said, "It’s most unfortunate that The Daily Star has published a poster of Hizb-ut Tahrir, which was pasted in a corner of Banglamotor, giving it a huge space.
“Maybe none would have read that poster pasted in a corner of Bangla Motor. Whether [it] writes negatively or positively, I think giving such a big coverage of the poster is tantamount to patronising Hizb-ut Tahrir."
Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami league, said newspapers should not publish anything that might harm the country or become harmful to the nation.
"But it’s not understandable to me why [they] did this. But we are taking appropriate measures against them [DS]," she said.
Earlier on February 15, Shahjalal Kibria, a lawyer of Dhaka Judge’s Court filed a case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka against The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam, Chief News Editor Syed Ashfaqul Haque and Chief Photographer Sk Enamul Haq for publishing a photograph of Hizb-ut Tahrir poster under the headline ’Fanatics raise their ugly heads again’ on February 11.
Hasina said her government banned Hizb-ut Tahrir much earlier and its leader was arrested and a case was lodged against him so that they cannot carry out any subversive activities.
