PM's Mourning Day declaration a tight slap on Prothom Alo’s face

While mass media are expected to prioritise the dissemination of facts and truth, it is evident that many media outlets often present a different narrative. These days, some media houses in Bangladesh appear to disregard factual accuracy, potentially rendering the pursuit of truth obsolete. Dainik Prothom Alo has once again been accused of disseminating misinformation through an article published in their online edition on October 17 titled 'Why Awami League and BNP Remain Silent on Israel's Attack'. This article has drawn criticism from media experts due to the significant amount of misinformation it contains. The article discusses the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Palestinian citizens are fighting to protect their land, livelihood, and human rights. They are responding to years of oppression with force, resulting in casualties on both sides. Despite this, people from the Mediterranean coast have united with Hamas to support the cause of Palestinian liberation. The state positions of Western countries, including some Middle Eastern Muslim-majority nations like Saudi Arabia, have been favourable to Israel. This stance can also be observed in the positions of organisations like the OIC and the Arab League. The motivation behind this support appears to be the desire to avoid upsetting Western allies in the Middle East. However, even in the face of these state positions, the general public, both in the United States and Europe, has shown strong support for the oppressed Palestinians. This support goes beyond religious identity, as it represents a shared human solidarity with those suffering in the conflict. Now, let's address the specific claims made in the Prothom Alo article. The article states that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on October 8, calling for both Israel and Palestine to exercise restraint and implement an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of innocent lives. However, the actual statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the ongoing conflict and Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. On October 14, the ministry reached out to the Palestinian Ambassador in Dhaka to offer condolences and expressed strong condemnation for civilian casualties in Gaza, including women and children. This does not align with the Prothom Alo article's representation of the government's stance. Besides, senior government officials, including the Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs, have spoken out in support of Palestine. They have criticised the lack of action by global leaders and the challenges faced in providing humanitarian aid to Palestine. The article in Prothom Alo implies that the government is not entirely supportive of Palestine, but it selectively quotes the Information Minister's statements on October 10. In his remarks, the information minister emphasises that Bangladesh opposes conflicts, condemns the withholding of essential supplies to Gaza, and stands by the Palestinian people in their quest for freedom. The article also touches on the involvement of different groups and parties in supporting Palestine. It suggests that the information presented in Prothom Alo is not entirely accurate and that various political and religious groups have supported the Palestinian cause. The article also mentions the opposition party, BNP, and questions their silence on the issue. It hints at connections between BNP leaders and individuals associated with Israeli intelligence, raising concerns about their stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The article in Prothom Alo raises questions about the accuracy of its information and the intentions behind its reporting. It clearly suggests that the newspaper is spreading confusion and misinformation to serve specific interests. Meanwhile, on Thursday (Oct 19), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh declared a one-day state mourning in response to Israel's attack on Palestine, condemning it as a heinous crime. She announced that the national flag will be flown at half-mast in all institutions on the designated day and called for prayers in mosques, temples, and churches in support of the oppressed people of Palestine. Sheikh Hasina criticised the targeting of hospitals in the conflict and stressed the need for global protests to secure the rights of those affected. Sheikh Hasina urged collective action to establish these rights, criticised some individuals for their insensitivity to the situation, and encouraged a shift from arms purchases to investing in children's development and education on a global scale. Prothom Alo appears to be determined to play a key role in perpetuating a misleading narrative that the Awami League is silent on the Palestine issue, despite the Prime Minister's clear condemnation of Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip. *Prothom Alo always stirs criticism* ------------------------------------ On April 3, a significant number of distinguished personalities in Bangladesh, including intellectuals, academics, freedom fighters, child rights activists, professors, physicians, valiant freedom fighters, former bureaucrats, and founders of child rights organisations, expressed deep concern regarding Prothom Alo's questionable reporting. Their concerns stemmed from an incident in which Prothom Alo was accused of irresponsible reporting on Bangladesh's Great Independence Day on March 26. On that day, the newspaper published a photograph of a 10-year-old boy along with a quote attributed to him, which read: "What's the use of independence if the stomach remains empty? I sweat whenever I visit the market. We need independence for fish, meat, and rice." In a joint statement, these individuals emphasised their respect for freedom of expression and media rights, provided that media ethics are upheld and social responsibility is not compromised. They asserted that when a 10-year-old child is induced with Tk 10 to parrot a scripted statement that aligns with the reporter's narrative, it constitutes a distortion of the truth. Such behaviour was deemed unacceptable. *Statement from the Editors Guild* ---------------------------------- On April 1, 2023, the Editors Guild of Bangladesh strongly denounced a controversial report published by Prothom Alo on Independence Day, deeming it as undermining Bangladesh's independence. While emphasising that no one is above the law, the Editors Guild suggested that anyone aggrieved by a report in the mainstream media should seek the opinion of the Press Council before pursuing legal action. *What child rights activists say* --------------------------------- ** Child rights activists criticised Prothom Alo for potentially exposing a child to vulnerabilities by depicting a first-grader as a day labourer and using a quote attributed to them. In a joint statement, the activists mentioned a UNICEF law, stating that anyone quoting a minor should consult with the family and clarify the content. They noted that Prothom Alo's portrayal of the boy clearly violates this law. *Media Experts about Prothom Alo* --------------------------------- When asked about one-sided journalism by Prothom Alo on June 27, former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University AAMS Arefin Siddique emphasised the importance of journalistic integrity. He said that journalism is fundamentally about a commitment to the truth, irrespective of whether the information is positive or negative. According to Professor Arefin Siddique, the core principle of journalism is to maintain a clear distinction between truth and falsehood without allowing them to blend. He acknowledged that the media operates under its own set of editorial principles but stressed that within those guidelines, adopting a one-sided approach should be avoided. *Senior journalist Subhash Singha Roy made the following statement on July 31, 2023, regarding Prothom Alo's journalism:* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** "Prothom Alo has a history of negatively examining issues related to communal harmony within the country. Notably, on Election Day in 2014, they published an image online that exacerbated communal tensions. The photo in question depicted a polling station in Jessore where individuals wearing Shankha Sindur were prominently featured. It's worth noting that this publication had a certain level of subtlety that could have been perceived as provocative." Quddus Afrad, former president of the Dhaka Union of Journalist (DUJ), speaking on World Free Media Day, June 27, 2023, emphasised that for the media to be truly free, it cannot be unbalanced or biased. Bias in the media is detrimental to journalism and free expression. A free press should represent the voice of the people rather than serve as a mouthpiece for specific groups. Afrad also pointed out that media bias is evident in developing countries like his own, indicating a lack of true media freedom. Journalists should adhere to the core principles of their nation, and when the media behaves like a political entity, it hinders good journalism. Afrad also stressed the importance of transparency in journalism, especially in the digital age when information spreads quickly through social media. Concealing information harms both the nation and its people. According to them, the media should strive for accuracy, truthfulness, and responsibility in its reporting. The misrepresentation of facts or the dissemination of false information can lead to severe consequences, undermine public trust, and contribute to the propagation of misinformation, they added.
Published on: 2023-10-19 13:10:08.160912 +0200 CEST