No Media Faced Arson Attacks in 53 Years: Mahfuz Anam

Angry protesters set Daily Star office on fire in the early hours of Thursday, 19 December 2025.

Veteran editor Mahfuz Anam on Sunday said no media outlet in Bangladesh’s 53-year history had ever faced arson attacks like the recent incidents, describing the country as being in a deeply devastated state where key institutions are under threat.

Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with editors and senior journalists at a city hotel, held ahead of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s return, he urged political parties to accept critical journalism as essential for good governance and press freedom.

“Bangladesh is now in a deeply devastated condition. Institutions are being challenged and destroyed,” he said. “In 53 years, no media office had ever been set on fire. This has happened for the first time. We must ask why.”

He called on journalists to responsibly question the motives behind the attacks and emphasised the need to safeguard freedom of expression, particularly the freedom to criticise those in power.

“Freedom of expression exists, but there is little space for critical opinions,” he said, noting that no government in the country’s history had fully accepted critical journalism. “In a new Bangladesh, I hope political forces will embrace it.”

Mahfuz Anam said independent journalism is not only a pillar of press freedom but also a vital tool for ensuring accountability and good governance.

“If you do not want to hear the truth, you will repeat mistakes,” he warned political leaders. “Party members, bureaucrats and intelligence agencies will not always tell you the truth. Independent media will.”

He expressed hope that a future political leadership would encourage critical reporting rather than suppress it, adding that mistakes by the media should be addressed through dialogue, not intimidation.

“When journalists make errors, point them out. If something is factually incorrect, we must be told — and we must correct it,” he said.

He also cautioned political leaders that true commitment to press freedom is tested when a party comes to power, not when it is in opposition.

Criticising ethical lapses within the media, he said some editors have compromised professional standards and stressed that ethical journalism must be prioritised.

“Ethics, ethics and ethics — there is no alternative,” he said, adding that building a new Bangladesh requires creating a healthy, independent and responsible media environment.