The Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) on Monday announced plans to hold a nationwide journalists’ conference in mid-January, pledging to continue protests until those responsible for recent arson attacks on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo are identified and brought to justice.
NOAB President AK Azad made the announcement at a joint protest meeting titled “Bangladesh Under the Attack of Mob Violence”, organised by the Editors’ Council and NOAB at a Dhaka hotel.
Referring to the attacks on the two leading newspapers, Azad said speakers at the meeting were united in their stance. “Everyone who spoke here said one thing in common: we must resist this unitedly,” he said.
He criticised what he described as the failure to provide timely protection to The Daily Star following the attack on Prothom Alo. “There was no government agency or individual whom Mahfuz Anam did not approach, with humility, seeking protection in front of The Daily Star. But no help came,” he said, alleging that security arrived only after the damage had already been done.
Quoting journalists who witnessed the incident, Azad said law enforcement personnel were present but did not intervene. He warned that the situation could have turned fatal.
“Twenty-eight to twenty-nine journalists were trapped inside during the fire. Had it continued for another 15 minutes, many would have died from smoke inhalation and lack of oxygen,” he said, raising the question: “Is this how our voices are meant to be silenced?”
Announcing future programmes, Azad said journalists from across the country would be brought together next month. “Based on your opinions, we will hold a grand journalists’ conference nationwide in mid-January. From there, we will announce our next course of action,” he said, adding that protests would continue until accountability is ensured.
“We believe justice must be delivered against those responsible for setting fire to Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, Chhayanaut, Udichi and every other place where arson was used as a tool of killing,” he said, stressing that the struggle would continue until journalists are guaranteed freedom of expression.
Fakhrul warns democracy under attack
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, addressing the meeting, said democracy in Bangladesh was under serious threat and urged democratic forces to unite.
“This is not about The Daily Star alone. Today, democracy itself has been attacked,” he said, adding that freedom of thought and expression were once again under assault.
Referring to past movements, Fakhrul said the July movement sought to establish people’s rights, but those ideals were now under threat. Calling for unity beyond political divisions, he said, “This is the time for all democratic people to stand together.”
Editors warn of attempt to silence dissent
Delivering the welcome address, Editors’ Council President and New Age Editor Nurul Kabir described the arson attacks on newspaper offices as reflecting a “medieval mindset” aimed at silencing dissent through fear.
“They set newspaper offices on fire and blocked the fire service from entering. This clearly shows they intended to burn people alive simply because they disagreed with them,” he said.
He warned that tolerating such acts would destroy institutions and block social progress, stressing that safeguarding media freedom is the responsibility of society as a whole.
“This fight is not only ours; it is also yours,” he said, urging citizens from all walks of life to unite against what he termed anti-democratic forces.
‘Now it is about survival’
The Daily Star editor and publisher Mahfuz Anam said threats against journalists had escalated beyond freedom of expression to become a matter of survival.
“On social media, we have seen messages saying journalists of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo should be hunted down and killed in their homes. These are murder threats,” he said.
Recalling the attack on The Daily Star office, Anam said around 25 to 26 staff members were trapped on the rooftop while fire service personnel were initially prevented from entering.
“Freedom of expression is no longer the main issue. Now it is about the right to stay alive,” he said, calling for unity and a collective, non-violent response.
The meeting was attended by political leaders, businesspeople, rights activists, civil society members, and leaders of NOAB and the Editors’ Council, who demanded the immediate identification and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.