Chairman of Technical Education Board attacks two journalists - Media censorship watch

The Daily Star reports that two reporters were assaulted for reporting on corrupt practices on the part of the chairman of the Technical Education Board. The reporters were from the New Age and Jono Kontho(I spell phonetically).

According to Jono Kontho, the two reporters were invited to the chairman's office to explain why they had filed a particular story. After some small talk there, the chairman and his employees attacked them and at one point detained them at a nearby Ansar camp, surprising the law-enforcers stationed there. Soon, people from other media outlets made an appearance and they were freed. The Jono Kontho reporter filed cases against the chairman and his subordinates.

This case illustrates one point I'd like to make clear about my stance on the whole Tasneem arrest episode. Down there, you will see that I have linked to Mash's post giving the names and contact information for the Bangladeshi caucus in the U.S. congress. This was in no way an easy decision for me. I am STRONGLY opposed to the influence of non-citizens in our political processes and our domestic affairs. Bangladesh only for Bangladeshis is my motto, with "Bangladeshi" defined broadly to include all religions, all classes, all races and ethnicities and certainly all genders. As long as you have or are entitled to a green passport with a golden map on it, your voice should be loud and should be heard. Otherwise you have no business telling the government what to do internally, even if I'm in complete agreement with you. It's just not your place. Do you hear me, Ms. Butenis?

So why did I advocate international pressure for the Tasneem case? Well, who else was there to appeal to domestically? I don't mean in terms of individuals, but in terms of institutions. Where could Tasneem's wife or friends or colleagues go and say, "Our loved one has been picked up without being told why. Help us." Name one that would have helped, and I'll apologise.

On the other hand, look at this example of media intimidation. Journalist gets beaten up by people whose malpractice has been reported on. Journalist goes and puts in a complaint at the nearest police station.

I know: Tasneem was not picked up for his reporting, but allegedly for non-work activities. That is not the point. The point is, where do you go when the highest authorities in the land misuse their power over others? Show me that place in my beloved land, and I personally will ask no more of it. Millenium development goals, "self-sufficiency" and export diversification be damned!

Hoping to one day see that institution, even as expectations diminish.