Editor of Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman has declared that the nation’s newspaper community will stand firmly united against any assault on media outlets on Wednesday.
He made the remarks during a programme held in front of the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar. The event marked the inauguration of an art exhibition by artist Mahbubur Rahman, titled ‘An Artwork on the Attacked and Burnt Prothom Alo Building’.
Recalling past incidents, Matiur Rahman said when newspapers such as ‘Jai Jai Din’ and ‘Amar Desh’ came under attack, the Editors’ Council had issued statements condemning the incidents. “Whatever newspaper faces any attack in the future, we will protest collectively,” he added.
Admitting that the media had made mistakes in the past and may not always be flawless, Matiur Rahman said claiming absolute perfection would be unreasonable. “But we must remain united in the greater interest.”
On 18 December, a group of miscreants attacked, vandalised and set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Karwan Bazar area of Dhaka.
Speaking at the inauguration, Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam said the arson attack on the country’s two leading newspapers was not an isolated incident but a premeditated one.
Urging the new government to conduct a thorough investigation, he said those directly involved as well as those who instigated and fuelled the violence from behind must be identified and brought before the public.
“This was not just an attack on two media outlets; it was an attempt to set fire to free thinking and independent journalism in the country,” he said.
President of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) AK Azad said no ideology can be destroyed by arson. “Prothom Alo could not be finished by fire. Like a phoenix, it has risen again with renewed vigour.”
Representatives of the Editors’ Council, NOAB, media organisations, journalists, business leaders, artists, writers and literary figures attended the event.
The 10-day exhibition began on Wednesday and will continue until 28 February. It will remain open to visitors daily from 11am to 1pm and 3pm to 5pm.
