The International Press Institute (IPI) on Thursday expressed dismay at the alleged assault of a journalist by a Bangladeshi MP whom the reporter was attempting to interview over allegations that a decision by the MP, in his role as president of a school managing committee, to charge higher admission fees was in violation of the country’s laws.
Local news outlets and rights groups reported that, on 3 January, ruling Awami League lawmaker Kamal Ahmed Majumdar twisted the arm of Aparna Singha, a staff reporter with RTV, when she went to Monipur High School and College to seek comment from Kamal over allegations that the school was charging a fee ranging from 20,000-26,500 BDT (approx. 190-250 euros) for admission in different classes, defying the fixed government charge of 5,000 BDT (approx. 50 euros). Men linked to Kamal also allegedly assaulted cameraman Syed Haider and reporter Shahin Parvez, who were accompanying Aparna.
A video of the assault was aired by a number of television channels.
Aparna was treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, RTV was reported as saying.
A day after the incident, about 200 journalists from various media demonstrated in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, demanding a proper investigation, according to local news reports.
“We join in solidarity our colleagues in Bangladesh in urging the authorities to thoroughly investigate this incident and to send a strong signal that attempts by those in power to prevent journalists from carrying out their legitimate, professional work will not be tolerated,” said IPI Press Freedom Manager Anthony Mills. “Journalists’ investigations into allegations of official wrongdoing are a key pillar of any country’s efforts to fight corruption. We welcome the prompt move by the Bangladesh education ministry to set up a three-member committee to probe the incident and trust that the perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice.”
IPI Board Member Bulbul Monjurul Ahsan, who is also the editor-in-chief and CEO of BOISHAKHI Television and the head of the IPI Bangladesh National Committee, said: “The IPI Bangladesh National committee expresses concern. An attack on a professional journalist by a ruling party lawmaker is completely unacceptable. The IPI National Committee asks the education ministry to expedite the inquiry it has promised, make public the inquiry report, and implement exemplary punishment for the culprit. It also demands that the Hon’ble Speaker of the Parliament come forward and sensitise parliament members to the issue of how to behave with journalists. They must also be aware about freedom of the press – which is guaranteed by the constitution of the land.”
The Dhaka-based press freedom group Media Watch reported that Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, speaking at a press briefing after the incident, called the alleged assault “totally unacceptable”. He reportedly added: “I’m sorry and saddened by the incident.”
Kamal denied having assaulted the reporters. “They were trying to take my photos, which I resisted,” he said. “I did not beat them. I just pushed their camera away.”
