Bar on freedom of expression : Since colonial times Bangladesh had been nourishing freedom of expression as a rights belonging to its people. The media contributed immensely to the country’s independence movement and its quest for sovereignty. There were a number of Journalists among the 3 million liberation martyrs. In theory, according to the constitution of Bangladesh, freedom of expression is enshrined as a fundamental right. However, in reality the opposite is true. Under every regime journalists have faced threats and intimidation and media have been subject to censorship. The atmosphere created in the country compels the media to practice self censorship when its comes to reporting abuses of power by the armed forces and leaders of the ruling political parties. In the past decade, a number of journalists who have failed to practice self censorship have been victims of assassination. The families of these journalists are still waiting for justice; there are allegations that respective governments have provided impunity to the perpetrators of these crimes. Prior to the parliamentary election in December, 2008, the Bangladeshis expected that an elected government would realize the importance of freedom of expression and protect those in the media. The present government also made its pledges in this regard. Ironically, after the election the Government has been found reluctant to respect the rights of press. The Government should be facilitating of speech and encouraging the people to express their independently, without fear or favour. If the conscientious segment of the country’s population is held at gunpoint, the future is bleak for the nation and the aspirations of its people.
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 11:06:13 +0000
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