Championing press freedom in new Bangladesh

The Department of English and Humanities recently organized a seminar on the importance of a free press in the new Bangladesh. The event featured a critical conversation on recent changes in the country, censorship, and the challenges facing independent journalism. Professor Firdous Azim, department chairperson and newly appointed head of Bangladesh’s Press Institute Board, invited Tasneem Khalil to share his insights during the seminar. Sadaf Saaz, a prominent author and activist, played a crucial role in facilitating this critical discussion.

Back in the 2000s, Khalil was abducted and tortured due to his bold attestation of abuse by the military. When he was released after several painful days, he went into hiding. The impunity against journalists in Bangladesh has sadly never been uncommon, and this is what Khalil emphasized during the conversation. He started Netra News, a rare breed of trustworthy journalism, back in 2019, exiled in Sweden; his desire for fearless and independent journalism came to fruition through this. This online news portal was also one of the loudest enablers of ensuring our voices were heard internationally during the revolt.

The questions naturally veered toward whether or not the former governing power would ever come back. Khalil definitively shut down these speculations, guaranteeing that they will never be welcome in this country again. As for the future, he expressed a strong hope that fair democratic elections will return to this country, instilling a sense of optimism. When the conversation was opened to the audience, much of the conversation revolved around media literacy.

For decades, the country has been desperate for authentic and accurate news. Tasneem Khalil and Sadaf Saaz, through their courage and determination, have opened doors for several aspiring journalists and inspired them to be valiant through this discussion.