The Daily IIJ

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has said that her government is making a policy which will be a guideline to cover the news of armed forces. I was eager to see the reaction of our main stream media houses, specially in their printed editions. No, I have not found this in the headlines.

Our most circulated newspaper, the daily Prothom-alo, says in headline that the Prime Minister has urged the defence officers to keep their faith on the conventional judicial system. I believe this line is more important than the matter of making new policy or guidelines. When the Prime Minister urges the defence officers to keep faith on judicial system that means something more is there. I want to raise the question- why is the Prime Minister saying so? Has she any information about defence officers’ loosing faith on judiacial system? Really I do not know. But I guess. It is tough to remain in power when the members of armed forces are unhappy. We have the example of assasination of our two Presidents who were killed by the member of armed forces. We have the experience of military rule and army backed government.

Now time is also critical. Many talent Army offiers have been killed by the mutineers in last bloody February. This week the trial process has been started. The mutineers who were directly involved with killing will face trial under Army Act. Other mutineers will face trial under the act of the para military force. The punishment of these two acts is not same. First is much harder than the second one. So when the mutineers will get soft punishment, what will be the reaction of dishearted defence officers? We will have to wait to see. I do not know- what can pacify their anger or remove their frustration.

It is not easy to know about the armed forces. Press or media workers are not generally allowed in defence arena. So it is very tough for the journalists to collect information about armed forces. Journalists collect information from their souces. In recent days I have come to know by newspaper that some defence officers are involved with a bomb attack in the capital city Dhaka. It is a horrific news. So far I know that the Defence Force is investing the matter. I do not know whether the investigation is finished or not.

According to bdnews24.com, an online newspaper of Bangladesh, ‘Refering to recent propaganda centering the Army in a selection of newspapers and TV channels, Prime Minister said any negative remarks or dicussions on the army hurt the morale of all military personnel. The Prime Minister urged the armymen not to get confused with propaganda.’ (Click here to read the news at bdnews24.com)

Now my question- is she sure that some newspapers are making propaganda against the armed forces?

One of my colleagues has commented that as a political statement of our Prime Minister. I proposed to write an editorial about making new pocily for media. But my colleagues told me that many countries have the same policy or law to protect defence. One of them said it would not be wise to write anything which may hurt the prestige of armed forces, specially when we have the risk to face trouble. Then he told me how some of his ex-colleagues were harrased by the members of intelligence wing of defence. I undersatnd the reality. He also says that nobody speak against defence spendings. Yes, I understand. Nobody wants to be enemy of defence.

But one of our senior colleagues took my side. He said that Government is making ‘Right to information Act‘. On the other side ……..

I guess his incomplete sentence. But reality does not support us to be brave.