02/22/2016, 11.45
BANGLADESH
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Dhaka, wave of accusations against Daily Star editor. Real goal: Total media control

by Nosrul Islam

Over 75 complaints in a few days. "The Daily Star" is the most prestigious English language newspaper. Newspaper and editor accused of defamation of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and conspiracy to overthrow the government. Specious allegations, to intimidate all media and counter criticism of ruling Party.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Mahfuz Anam, founder and editor of "The Daily Star", the most prestigious English language daily, received more than 75 complaints in a few days, compiled by courts in 50 different districts of Bangladesh.

These include 58 related to libel charges against the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and 17 that are charges of sedition and conspiracy to overthrow the government; They come from different people and diverse institutions, all in some way connected or eager to show support of the ruling party, the Awami League, practically the only party in parliament, as the opposition parties withdrew from the elections in January 2014 .

The episode that caused this judicial avalanche dates back to nine years ago, when the country was under the control of a "special government", composed of civilians but in reality in the hands of the military, following a long period of unrest and violence in the period that ran up to the parliamentary elections. The government, headed by former Bangladesh Central Bank governor Fakhruddin Ahmed, was in office for two years and justified its presence with the fight against corruption and the need to guarantee order to organize "free and fair elections" which in fact took place in January 2008, giving a brilliant victory to the Awami League. Tired of violence and uncertainty, the public welcomed the "special" government with confidence that it would keep his word to bring back democracy. At the time, an anti-corruption commission passed to the media details of interrogations and investigations concerning politicians and businessmen, that were largely published by all the media. "The Daily Star" published 11 of these reports all with evidence, seven of which regarded the current opposition and three which were related with the current ruling party, headed by Sheikh Hasina.

A short time later, the President of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), Khaleda Zia, was arrested on charges of corruption, and later even Sheikh Hasina had to cross the threshold of the prison.

This year, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the newspaper's foundation, on February 5, "The Daily Star" organized cultural events, round tables and debates, including one on modern journalism, in which the editor shared his ideas and ideals of freedom and independence which animate him, and also the difficulties in remaining faithful to them. Mahfuz Anam said it is easy to make mistakes, and admitted that he, too, during the period of the special government erred by publishing those reports without having carried out the necessary checks on reliability.

A few days later, at a sitting of the Parliament seven Awami League MPs vehemently demanded the arrest of the journalist and the closing of the newspaper, saying that the publication was at the origin of the plot that led to the military power, and had plotted for the arrest of Shekh Hasina. In a calm self defence, "The Daily Star" re-published a long article published immediately after the arrest of Sheikh Hasina with clear and courageous criticism of the government for this and other moves, which were not the right way for the promised return to democracy.

Soon after, complaints started to come, with reactions (that appear rather timid) by other journalists and civil rights organizations. It should be noted that at that time those reports were disseminated by almost all media, and only now, as a result of a sincere, spontaneous sharing, has this absolutely unreal and pretentious "case" arisen, against only one media outlet and its editor.

The Prime Minister remains silent. Her son, who lives in the United States, has instead stepped in and presented the admissions of Mahfuz Anam as evidence that he had knowingly published falsehoods designed to ruin the political career of his mother and condemn it.

The British BBC radio has broadcast a report in which he expressed the belief that this massive attack is part of a trend of the current ruling party, that wants to introduce heavy check on information and intimidate the media, pushing them towards a self censorship which includes even the most balanced and correct criticism.

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