United News of Bangladesh

Editor of the Bangla daily Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman on Wednesday vowed that the country’s newspaper community would stand united against any attack on any media outlet. “If any newspaper comes under attack, we will collectively resist it,” Matiur said at a programme held in front of the Prothom Alo office at Karwan Bazar, marking the inauguration of an art exhibition titled ‘An Artwork on the Attacked and Burnt Prothom Alo Building’ by artist Mahbubur Rahman. Recalling past incidents, Matiur Rahman said when newspapers such as ‘Jai Jai Din’ and ‘Amar Desh’ came under attack, the Editors’ Council had issued statements condemning the incidents. “Whatever newspaper faces any attack in the future, we will protest collectively,” he added. Admitting that the media had made mistakes in the past and may not always be flawless, Matiur Rahman said claiming absolute perfection would be unreasonable. “But we must remain united in the greater interest.” On December 18, a group of miscreants attacked, vandalised and set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Karwan Bazar area of the capital. Speaking at the inauguration, Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam said the arson attack on the country’s two leading newspapers was not an isolated incident but a premeditated one. Urging the new government to conduct a thorough investigation, he said those directly involved as well as those who instigated and fuelled the violence from behind must be identified and brought before the public. “This was not just an attack on two media outlets; it was an attempt to set fire to free thinking and independent journalism in the country,” he said. President of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) AK Azad said no ideology can be destroyed by arson. “Prothom Alo could not be finished by fire. Like a phoenix, it has risen again with renewed vigour.” Journalists talk about responsibility but many dodge their own: Press Secretary Representatives of the Editors’ Council, NOAB, media organisations, journalists, business leaders, artists, writers and literary figures attended the event. The 10-day exhibition began on Wednesday and will continue until February 28. It will remain open to visitors daily from 11am to 1pm and 3pm to 5pm.

Voicing deep concern over suing one after another against journalists, including Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, under the Digital Security Act (DSA), BNP on Thursday alleged that the government has been carrying out extreme repression by using the ‘black’ law to gag the media.   In a statement, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam demanded the immediate repeal of the Digital Security Act and the withdrawal of all cases filed against journalists. After picking up Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams by law enforcers early Wednesday, Fakhrul said a case was filed against the editor of the newspaper, Matiur Rahman, on Wednesday late night under the DSA. Besides, he said a Jubo League leader filed another case under the DSA against Daily Jugantor's Special Correspondent and ex-general secretary of Crime Reporters’ Association Mahbub Alam Lavllu in Chattogram. The BNP leader strongly protested and denounced the filing of the cases against the journalists under the DSA on ‘false’ charges. “Filing of cases one after the other against journalists, including Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman, under the DSA a severe blow to the freedom of expression,” he observed. Read more: Prothom Alo journalist Shams denied bail, sent to jail Fakhrul alleged that the government has demonstrated that it wants to bury democracy forever by filing a case under the Digital Security Act against Matiur Rahman, one of the country's leading newspaper editors. By suing journalists under the DSA, he said the government wants to send out a message to the country’s people that the government's activities cannot be criticised and opinions cannot be expressed freely. “The Awami League government is continuing its terrible misrule in the country by indiscriminately repressing and suppressing the media, the fourth pillar of the state,” the BNP leader said.  He also said the case against Matiur Rahman was undoubtedly filed at the behest of the government. Fakhrul said the country’s people and the media have got panicked due to the killing and repression of journalists across the country.

The government of Japan conferred the "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette" award to Bangladeshi businessman Matiur Rahman Monday. Matiur, the first president of the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), received the award at the official residence of Ito Naoki, ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, for his contribution to strengthening economic ties between Japan and Bangladesh. He is the first Bangladeshi businessman to receive the decoration from the government of Japan. "Rahman's achievements and contributions to Japan-Bangladesh relations are remarkable. I am particularly pleased that we are able to celebrate Mr Rahman's conferment in the year of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh," said Ambassador Naoki. Matiur Rahman is one of the founders of the JBCCI and greatly contributed to promoting the investment of Japanese companies in Bangladesh.  He also made significant efforts to improve the business environment for Japanese companies and built a strong economic partnership between the two countries. On April 29, 2021, the government of Japan decided to confer the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette on Matiur.

The High Court on Sunday stayed trial proceedings against Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman for six months over the death of Dhaka Residential Model College student Nayeemul Abrar Rahat.

Sampadak Parishad (Editors’ Council) on Sunday voiced concern over the indictment of Daily Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman and eight others in a case filed over the death of a student last year.