'Inevitable reasons' for news shutdown and journalist's dismissal

Just four days before World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, on April 29th, what happened at three television channels in Bangladesh raised serious questions not only about the statements of the interim government's Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the former Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam but also about journalists' freedom to ask questions, their authority, and the boundaries of that freedom.

Statements of the Interim Government:
One month after taking office, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government, in a speech to the nation on September 11th of the previous year, said, "The full freedom of the press and freedom of expression have already been ensured. We have told everyone that they can criticize us openly. We respect all opinions. The government is actively considering forming a media commission to ensure the media can operate without any hindrance."

Two months later, on November 12th, 2025, at a meeting with newspaper editors, then Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam stated, "There is no pressure from the government on the media. The media should use this freedom to report factual news courageously." He emphasized the need for free flow of information, stressing, "Due to the lack of proper dissemination of accurate information, people are constantly misled by rumors and false information. The media must play a leading role in countering these."

Attacks on the Media:
Since the July uprising, particularly after August 5th of the previous year, both government institutions and the media have come under attack. These attacks have been primarily directed at media organizations, accusing them of playing a role in sustaining the ‘fascist’ Hasina government’s illegal power. Journalists were also accused of compromising the professionalism of the media by serving personal interests or defending state actions during the July protests. As a result, several media outlets were attacked, set on fire, or vandalized.

After the fall of the Awami League government in the face of the uprising, between August 21st and September 11th of the previous year, nearly 100 journalists were named in murder cases, including one at the International Crimes Tribunal. Many others faced multiple cases. Recently, on April 27th, a murder case was filed in Mirpur, Dhaka, with 24 journalists among the 408 accused. Some of these journalists have been arrested, while others are in hiding. Several media organizations have also made major changes in their staff.

What Happened at the Press Conference?
On April 28th, 2025, a press conference was held at the Secretariat to invite people to the screening of the Bangladeshi short film Ali at the Cannes Film Festival. During the press conference, journalists questioned the cultural advisor about various recent issues. At one point, Rofiqul Bashar, a reporter from Channel i, asked about the presentation of Sheikh Hasina’s motif at the Pohela Boishakh procession and whether it would hinder national unity. In response, the cultural adviser referred to the killing of 1,400 people during the July uprising, claiming national unity was impossible with someone who had caused such bloodshed. This led to an argument between the cultural adviser and journalists Mizanur Rahman from Deepto TV and Fazle Rabbi from ATN Bangla.

Following this, posts were made on social media calling for action against the three journalists. The posts included threats of a march to the offices of Deepto TV, Channel i, and ATN Bangla if no action was taken against the journalists within 24 hours. Consequently, Deepto TV announced that it would suspend its news broadcast "due to unavoidable reasons." After several hours, news broadcasts resumed, but on the same day, Deepto TV and ATN Bangla dismissed two of their journalists, and Channel i relieved one journalist of their duties pending investigation.

Explaining ‘Inevitable Reasons’:
According to the Bengali Academy's practical dictionary, the word ‘inevitable’ refers to something that cannot be avoided — something that will occur regardless of efforts to stop it. However, when a television channel suspends its news broadcast “due to inevitable reasons,” questions arise: what exactly are these inevitable reasons? Typically, television broadcasts can be suspended due to government intervention (particularly by the BTRC) or technical issues. But when a broadcast suspension occurs after a viral social media campaign concerning specific journalists’ questions, it suggests that the "inevitable reason" may involve pressure from the government or its stakeholders, or it may reflect the channel’s strategy to protect itself.

Reasons for Dismissals:
Mizanur Rahman of Deepto TV and Fazle Rabbi of ATN Bangla were dismissed, but the reasons for their termination were not clearly stated. Normally, when a journalist is dismissed for misconduct, they are first given a notice to explain themselves, and if the explanation is unsatisfactory, further action is taken. However, in this case, no explanation was provided for the dismissals, which violates both institutional policies and labor laws.

The Right to Ask Questions:
The job of the media is to ask questions — especially of those in power. Journalists must question those in positions of power about their actions and the impact of their decisions on society, the state, and the world. The role of a journalist is to remain neutral, professional, and accountable to the people, not to any particular party or corporation. When journalists deviate from this principle, they are no longer journalists but become propagandists or public relations officers for certain agendas.

The three journalists recently dismissed were accused of failing to ask questions in a professional manner. However, is it not the essence of journalism that a journalist’s questions, even if controversial, should be allowed? After all, questioning is part of their professional duty. The dismissal of journalists for asking questions implies a greater issue of control over the press and censorship.

Conclusion:
On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, it is essential to reflect on journalists’ freedom to ask questions and the broader issue of press freedom. The recent events highlight the need for media professionals to maintain their independence and for media organizations to protect their employees from external pressures. The right to question, the boundaries of that right, and the responsibilities of the press need to be discussed more openly and critically.

Amin Al Rashid: Journalist and Writer