Rokan's Journal

Maj Gen HRM Rokan Uddin (Retd)

Journalism has always been regarded as one of the noblest professions in human civilization. A responsible media serves as the conscience of a nation. It informs the people, exposes corruption, highlights injustice, protects democracy, and creates awareness among citizens. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are universally recognized rights enshrined in the constitutions of democratic countries around the world. Without independent media, no nation can claim to be truly democratic or civilized. However, like every freedom, media freedom also carries responsibility and limitations. Unlimited, reckless, and unethical freedom can become destructive for society and dangerous for the state itself. When journalism loses morality and becomes a tool of propaganda, manipulation, intimidation, or foreign influence, it no longer serves the people; instead, it serves narrow political, ideological, or personal interests. At that point journalism transforms into yellow journalism – a practice that damages national unity, destroys public trust, and weakens state institutions. Bangladesh has witnessed this dangerous transformation over the last two decades, particularly during the sixteen years of the authoritarian rule of Sheikh Hasina. During that period, sections of the media abandoned their professional ethics and openly aligned themselves with political power. Instead of speaking truth to power, many media personalities and outlets became protectors and promoters of authoritarianism. Rather than defending democracy and human rights, they actively participated in suppressing dissenting voices.

The people of Bangladesh clearly observed how certain influential newspapers, television channels, and media personalities systematically created false narratives to persecute political opponents, Islamic scholars, religious-minded citizens, nationalist groups, and individuals who held different political opinions. Fake stories were manufactured, facts were distorted, and selective reporting became a weapon against those who opposed the ruling regime. Many innocent people suffered socially, politically, and legally because of deliberate media campaigns designed to portray them as extremists, militants, anti-state elements, or enemies of progress. During those years, genuine journalism suffered immensely. Honest journalists were threatened, marginalized, harassed, or forced into silence. Many media houses faced persecution simply because they tried to publish truth or criticize the government. Yet, ironically, many of the so-called “guardians of press freedom” remained silent during these injustices. They neither protested the closure of media institutions nor raised their voices against the oppression of fellow journalists. In many cases, they actively supported the repression by justifying government actions and amplifying propaganda against victims.

This silence was not accidental. It was rooted in political loyalty, financial gain, fear, and in some cases ideological alignment with authoritarian power. Certain media figures used their platforms not to serve the nation but to gain personal benefits, business privileges, political patronage, foreign connections, and protection from accountability. Some became so deeply embedded within the ruling structure that they effectively functioned as political activists rather than journalists. One of the most dangerous aspects of this phenomenon was the deliberate creation of fear and confusion within society. By repeatedly using labels such as “militant,” “extremist,” “anti-liberation,” or “fundamentalist,” sections of the media attempted to isolate and demonize large groups of citizens. Such narratives divided society and created mistrust among the people. In many instances, allegations were circulated without evidence, while alternative viewpoints were deliberately suppressed.

Today, after the political changes in Bangladesh, the same sections of media that once supported authoritarianism are attempting to reposition themselves. Many are now changing their political alignment and presenting themselves as defenders of democracy and freedom of expression. Simultaneously, there appears to be an organized effort to protect certain corrupt and compromised media personalities from accountability. Those who never protested torture, disappearances, political persecution, suppression of free speech, or attacks on journalists during the authoritarian era are now suddenly speaking about media freedom and democratic values. This raises an important national question: where were these voices when journalists were imprisoned, media houses were shut down, and opposition voices were silenced? Why did many of them remain silent when ordinary citizens suffered injustice? Why did they choose comfort and proximity to power over truth and professional ethics?

Many citizens believe that behind this organized effort there are invisible forces – forces that never truly desired the independent progress and sovereignty of Bangladesh. Throughout history, hostile foreign interests have often attempted to influence weaker nations through political manipulation, economic dependency, media penetration, intellectual control, and psychological operations. Media can become a powerful tool in such influence campaigns if journalists lose their patriotism and ethical responsibility. It is not unrealistic to assume that some individuals in different sectors, including media, politics, academia, business, and civil society, may consciously or unconsciously serve external agendas. Some may be financially compromised, ideologically motivated, blackmailed, or trapped through connections with hostile intelligence services. Modern hybrid warfare no longer depends only on military invasion; it increasingly uses information warfare, media manipulation, cyber influence, propaganda networks, and psychological operations to weaken nations internally. Bangladesh, because of its strategic location and growing geopolitical importance in the Bay of Bengal and Indo-Pacific region, remains vulnerable to such external influence operations. Foreign powers competing for regional dominance naturally seek influence within the country’s political, media, and intellectual spheres. Therefore, protecting national sovereignty today requires not only military preparedness but also informational and psychological security.

This does not mean suppressing press freedom or silencing criticism. Criticism is essential for democracy. Responsible investigative journalism strengthens the nation by exposing corruption and injustice. However, deliberate disinformation, foreign-sponsored propaganda, politically motivated character assassination, and coordinated destabilization campaigns cannot be considered genuine journalism. There is a major difference between constructive criticism and organized psychological warfare against the state. The intelligence and security agencies of the country therefore have an important responsibility. They must remain vigilant regarding networks that attempt to destabilize society, spread coordinated disinformation, promote communal hatred, undermine national institutions, or serve hostile foreign interests. However, such vigilance must also operate within constitutional and legal boundaries so that genuine freedom of expression is not harmed.

At the same time, the media community itself must undergo serious self-reflection and reform. Bangladesh urgently needs a qualitative transformation in journalism and political culture. Ethical standards, professional accountability, factchecking, and patriotism must return to the center of journalism. Media organizations should prioritize truth over political allegiance and national interest over foreign influence or personal gain. Journalists must understand that media power is not a business of manipulation; it is a sacred trust. The pen, the camera, and the microphone can either protect a nation or contribute to its destruction. When media becomes corrupt, society loses moral direction. When politicians become corrupt, governance collapses. When both work together irresponsibly, the nation suffers deeply.

Bangladesh has already paid a heavy price due to the alliance between corrupt politics and compromised media over the past decades. Political instability, social division, mistrust, extremism, and institutional decay have all been intensified by irresponsible narratives and unethical practices. The country cannot afford a repetition of such mistakes. The future of Bangladesh depends on building strong, patriotic, professional, and ethical institutions. The media must become a pillar of truth, justice, and national responsibility rather than a weapon of propaganda and division. Only then can journalism truly reclaim its noble character and contribute positively to the sovereignty, stability, and progress of the nation.