The July Journalist Unity (JJU) has strongly condemned Prime Minister's Political Assistant Rashed Khan for tearing up a newspaper during a Facebook live broadcast, describing the incident as a major warning sign for press freedom.
In a protest statement issued on Sunday, the organisation expressed concern over the incident, saying such behaviour was undesirable in the context of media freedom, freedom of expression and democratic tolerance.
The organisation said anyone could disagree with or object to published news reports, editorial positions or political analyses. In a democratic society, every citizen has the right to express disagreement, criticism and protest. However, differences of opinion should be expressed while maintaining decency, mutual respect and democratic values.
JJU said Rashed Khan's public act of tearing up a national daily newspaper was inconsistent with the standard of responsible conduct expected from someone holding an important position in the state.
If he disagreed with any statement or position of a media outlet, he could express his views through arguments, facts and counterstatements, the statement said, adding that everyone also had the right to criticise the media. However, no party should engage in behaviour that undermines the environment for independent journalism.
The organisation said press freedom did not mean being above criticism. Rather, it meant ensuring a safe environment for independent news publication, the expression of opinions and responses to criticism.
While stressing the importance of responsible journalism, JJU said restrained and democratic conduct was also expected from people holding responsible positions in the state.
The organisation further said that a strong mechanism for addressing grievances over media reports could have prevented the situation. It called for the Press Council to be developed into an independent, impartial, widely accepted and strong institution to address such issues.
JJU also demanded an impartial investigation into the recent crude bomb attack on the office of the daily Amar Desh, the uncovering of the actual facts and the bringing of those responsible to justice.
It said the state had a responsibility to ensure that no media outlet or journalist was prevented from performing professional duties due to intimidation, attacks or pressure.
Referring to the expectations of the 2024 July Uprising, the organisation said the establishment of an independent media, freedom of expression, the rule of law and an accountable state system had been among its key aspirations.
To fulfil those expectations, the freedom and security of all media outlets must be ensured, rising above political identities and ideologies, the statement said.
JJU called on all concerned to demonstrate mutual respect, tolerance and responsible conduct and urged all relevant state authorities to play a responsible role in protecting press freedom and the professional dignity of journalists.
The statement was signed by JJU Convener Saifur Sagar and Member Secretary Ahsan Kamrul.
The statement comes a day after Rashed Khan on October 31 tore up a copy of Amar Desh in a video, protesting two recent lead stories published about him by the daily.
In the video, Rashed is seen ripping the newspaper while expressing anger over what he described as attempts to tarnish his reputation through its coverage.
The latest report, published on Saturday, October 31, carried the headline, “Hasina's son Joy and some neo-BNP members have united”. The newspaper had also published another lead story on October 15 under the headline, “What are the Prime Minister's advisers and assistants doing?”, which included remarks about Rashed Khan.
In his video statement, Rashed Khan alleged that the October 15 report had deliberately targeted him, despite devoting only a few lines to his activities. He also criticised the latest headline, saying it attempted to associate him with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, despite his joining the BNP.
Rashed Khan suggested that Amar Desh's coverage was linked to his recent allegations against Jamaat-e-Islami. He has claimed that the party's Nayeb-e-Ameer Mia Golam Porwar held a meeting with a senior Indian intelligence official and challenged Jamaat to investigate the matter.
He said he had offered to share evidence with a party-appointed investigation committee or directly with Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman. He also said Jamaat could file a defamation case against him if it could establish that his allegations were false.
Expressing disappointment with Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman, he said he had previously held the editor in high regard because of his own experiences of persecution under the Awami League regime.