All forms of crackdown on media outlets must be stopped

Patriotism, rule of law, good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability are the most vital things for a country to make substantial progress. At the same time it has to be remembered that journalism is the fourth estate of democracy. A country cannot attain sustainable democracy until and unless unbarred and unbiased journalism is allowed to prevail. It goes without saying that all principles, codes, regulations and norms of fair banking and financial systems eroded in Bangladesh during the period from 2009 to 2024, to be more precise from 2016 to 2024. Massive loan scams and financial frauds hit news headlines over and over again.

The Asian Age frequently published reports and articles on unabated corruption and irregularities in banks and financial systems in Bangladesh. The Asian Age tried its best to stay objective in all its reports. However, it has to be admitted that we had to eulogize the immediate past government on a few occasions coming under severe pressure from ruling authorities and an influential intelligence force. Otherwise we would have ended up in Ayna Ghor (secret detention chambers) for sure.

The Asian Age covered a report by The Economist titled “The Government Initiates a Coup at Bangladesh’s Bank: Board Members Receive a Visit from Military Intelligence” which appeared on 6 April 2017. Following the publication of this report in The Asian Age, the then Director General of DGFI Major General Akbar Hossain threatened The Asian Age in every possible way. Even Major General Akbar Hossain threatened to abduct The Asian Age founder.

The Asian Age was also forced by intelligence agencies and the ousted government to publish their party anniversary supplements covering two pages free of cost. Huge sums of advertisement bills from The Asian Age are still pending with different government offices. All these detrimental things have plunged The Asian Age into abysmal financial straits.

The Asian Age published a report on the front page on 26 February 2017 titled, “Tk 30, 000 crore vanishing trick: 60% of defaulted loans from public banks written off.” Taking this report into cognizance, the High Court ordered Bangladesh Bank to furnish full facts and figures related to the persons and amounts with reference to defaulted loans up to 31 December 2016.

All forms of crackdown on media outlets should be stopped for good.

Panama Papers, Pandora Papers, Wikileaks and International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published the financial vices committed by influential and powerful leaders of different countries. Allegedly most of the defaulted loans have been transferred abroad through money laundering. Newspapers often have to confront inimical situations by publishing such investigative reports.