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On February 1, Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera published a report titled “All the Prime Minister’s Men.” In an immediate response, our Foreign Ministry described it as a false, defamatory and politically motivated campaign. He further said that extremist groups and the notorious people associated with them have been carrying out propaganda for political reasons, which is just part of it. The ministry’s response specified two issues. One is that there is no evidence of involvement with the “Prime Minister and other agencies in Bangladesh.” The second is that the historical account of the report “does not mention the horrific genocide of 1971.”
We believe that the Al Jazeera report was a well thought out and wise decision by the government not to interrupt or block advertising and social media in Bangladesh. Discontinuation of promotion tends to generate a more negative reaction from readers. We welcome the government’s position on the foreign media reports. However, the government’s response to the report did not appear to reflect an equally well-thought-out position. The response raised questions about the purpose of the report, including possible instigators and funders, and criticized the Al Jazeera report. However, Al Jazeera did not comment on the allegations. The people of the country must be interested in knowing the truth.
We have come across a strange situation where the government is just reacting without revealing what the government is responding to. So far we have not published the Al Jazeera report or any part of it. Even in this editorial we do not disclose any of the allegations raised, the names of the people, the documents shown in the video, the participation of two convicted fugitives with high ranking people in a function in Dhaka shown in the video and those who spoke in front of or behind the camera.
We believe that it would not be correct to avoid the accusations raised in the report or to seek a solution such as burying dirt under the rug. Many have sided with the Prime Minister on various occasions, especially during his struggles. Now they are taking full advantage of the Prime Minister’s gratitude and influencing some of our most sensitive places. The report mentions the purchase of sensitive wiretapping devices from Israel. However, we did not recognize the country. Also, fake passports, national identity cards and bank documents need special attention. Behind these are the names of organizations whose integrity and fairness depend on our safety. It also covers topics related to our security, law enforcement agencies, and who runs them. If the government ignores them, the danger may increase.
Readers have every right to know why the country’s media does not report this way. We have some limitations of our own, and the environment has become such under the influence of the Digital Security Act. This law has severely restricted the scope of free media work anywhere. Observing the completely unfounded and unjustifiable defamation cases against journalists and newspapers under the Digital Security Act and the speed at which cases are taken, investigated, accused are arrested, sent to jail and incarcerated for months without bail is a clear answer. It goes without saying that intimidation, intimidation, and other tactics are also used. Even then we must remain active in the fight to tell the truth. You can’t say I’m not trying.
