Speakers at a high-level consultation meeting titled ‘Defending Media Freedom for Democracy and Citizen’s Rights in Bangladesh’ have called for protecting and promoting freedom of expression, safety of journalists and right to information in Bangladesh.
US Ambassador in Dhaka Earl Miller, Benoit Préfontaine, Canadian High Commissioner, Robert Chatterton Dickson, British High Commissioner in Bangladesh, UN Country Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo, and Faruq Faisel, Regional Director of ARTICLE 19 Bangladesh and South Asia, among others took part in the consultation held virtually.
Addressing the event, Mr Préfontaine mentioned that violations of freedom of opinion and expression including attacks on and intimidation against journalists are happening in many countries.
“The same rights protected offline must be protected online. Informed decisions can only be made with a strong and robust media,” he added.
British High Commissioner Dickson stressed the need for engagement with journalists, civil society and the government to support the role of free media and to ensure that it is respected and maintained.
Additionally, capacity should be provided to the journalists to ensure they are able to work in the best possible way, he added.
US Ambassador Earl Miller said US is always for a free and independent media in Bangladesh.
“Journalists and free press help us learn the truth, sometimes unpleasant and disagreeable, but it makes our governments and societies better.”
The UN Country Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo reiterated the UN Secretary General’s message on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
“If we do not protect journalists our ability to remain informed and make evidence-based decisions are severely hampered”.
“When journalists cannot do their work in safety, we lose an important defence against the pandemic of misinformation and disinformation,” she said.
The culture of impunity and the Digital Security Act 2018 (DSA) in Bangladesh are stifling freedom of expression and acting as barriers to the functioning of independent media and promoting citizen’s rights in the country, said Faruq Faisel, Regional Director of ARTICLE 19 Bangladesh and South Asia.
ARTICLE 19 is committed to undertaking a long-term advocacy campaign to promote the notion of media freedom and safety of journalists in Bangladesh, he added.
The Dhaka Declaration of the meeting said, media freedom is the cornerstone of democracy and essential to the protection of human rights and ensuring accountability.
“Media plays a role in countering disinformation and the challenges to media freedom are global and have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Bangladesh”.
Thus, at a time when free-flow of information is crucial and access to life-saving information is pertinent, a stronger commitment is required in ensuring free media, protection of journalists, and ensuring equality in accordance with human rights principles, the declaration added.
