Choking state of press freedom

As upsetting as it can get, Bangladesh has slipped two notches further down on the World Press Freedom Index 2024 - published annually by RSF (Reporters Without Borders), also known as Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF). The country was ranked 165th among 180 nations in the list published on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on Friday. Last year, Bangladesh had occupied the 163rd position out of 180 countries, and in 2022 it was in the 162nd position.

Two snooping questions, however, are - why are we continually failing to perform better in World Press Freedom Index despite a vibrant and expanding media industry? And, why are we repeatedly failing to compete with countries which are markedly far behind us in terms of human development, riddled with bigger humanitarian and economic challenges?

Instead of looking at the bigger picture, our poor ranking within the South Asian region also shows the vulnerable state of press freedom in todays Bangladesh. In South Asia, Nepal has taken the lead in ensuring better press freedom than us being ranked on the 74th position, Maldives at the 106th position, Bhutan at 147th, Sri Lanka at 150th, Pakistan at 152nd, and India at the 161st place globally.
As a responsible media outlet, we urge the government to take stock of the grim reality of press freedom in the country while offering more freedom to the media sector, in order to climb up in the index ranking.

Our simple and short message: Without freedom of press democratic institutions cannot function and without freedom of press there is no freedom. In addition, press freedom matters since a free press uncovers the truth. Numerous public and private entities can benefit from hidden truths being uncovered, including governments.

Lest we forget, one of the key objectives of a free press is to serve as a watchdog on power. Thus, the press is a bridge between the people and powerful entities. And if the press is not free but instead beholden to political power, it simply serves as an extension of that political power.

Not to mention, given the alarming prevalence of corruption and human rights violations in todays Bangladesh, a free press is essential to expose abuse and misuse of power.

In conclusion, unless press freedom is ensured, the thousands of media outlets operating in the country will soon turn futile in terms of serving their actual purpose. That said - the least we expect is our fourth estate to be a one-sided representative for the party in power.

There are enough reasons to believe, that whats happening in todays Bangladesh.

Compared to any time before, it is time to remind us of that epic Mahatma Gandhi quote - Freedom of the press is a precious privilege that no country can forgo.