Journalist Rozina issue: Question of Mahfuz Anam, experiences of Mati Chowdhury
The issue of Rozina Islam, a senior journalist, has caused a stir at the national and international levels. Journalists and citizens of all walks of life have reacted to the issue irrespective of party affiliation. Two significant writings by two senior-most journalists-editors of Bangladesh are particularly noteworthy in this context.
Mahfuz Anam, editor of the Daily Star, asked, "Why should Rozina be in jail for 3 days?" He wrote in detail about her legal right to bail, "first as a citizen, then as a woman and finally as a sick person. In addition, citing three conditions for denying bail, he explicitly stated that "none of the three conditions apply to Rozina."
As a leading editor, he raised questions about the rule of law, freedom of speech, and journalists' rights, and wrote that Rozina's investigative journalism had "benefited taxpayers" because of the hard-earned money. Theoretically, a government that is committed to good governance and the fair use of people's money has also benefited greatly. '
Mahfuz Anam’s analysis proves that the work of journalist Rozina is in the interest of the state and the people, against corruption and ‘without such investigative journalism our country will sink further into corruption and our limited resources will be misused. This kind of journalism is always needed for any society to move forward. '
Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Editor-in-Chief of 'Manab Zamin' has presented the issue of Rozina Islam under the title 'I have not seen such a thing in fifty years' in the light of her long, colorful, professional practical experience. In his own case, during the tenure of President Ziaur Rahman and President Ershad, he had to face the question of revealing the secret news of the highest echelons of the government. He did not mention any news sources. For this reason, no one grabbed him by the throat and did not file a case of information theft. He was disgusted with the then government and his accreditation card was canceled for three times.
If Matiur Rahman Chowdhury had not been mentioned, it would not have been known that Alamgir Hossain, the then senior journalist of the daily Ittefaq -presently editor-in-chief of Barta24.com, had confirmed the news from his own sources. Matiur Rahman Chowdhury filed the report in the daily Sangbad depending on the confirmation of Alamgir Hossain. The report was published next day in the daily Sangbad in five columns. Despite knowing everything, Alamgir Hossain did not go to take credit for printing the news till then. He remained behind the scenes with the pure values of professionalism.
Despite the efforts of the highest echelons of the state, the source of the sensitive news from Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, as well as through Alamgir Hossain, has never been revealed due to the professional dignity, sanctity and ethics of journalism. Matiur Rahman Chowdhury rightly mentioned that ‘there was so much faith and confidence in that period. I can't talk to anyone now. '
Matiur Rahman Chowdhury started his writing by saying, ‘Which Bangladesh is this? I have not seen such a thing in fifty years. The incident of strangling a journalist for stealing the so-called secret documents is unprecedented. Moreover she is a woman journalist. The people of the country are shocked and amazed at the manner in which Rozina Islam has been harassed. 'He described the two incidents during the two presidents' tenure as follows: Stopped going to the Secretariat. This is the end. There was no case, so I didn't have to go to jail.
Everyone has seen what happened in the case of journalist Rozina Islam. She was strangled. She was detained at the police station late at night and sent to jail with a case.
Awami League General Secretary and Minister Obaidul Quader has asked journalists to be patient on Rozina's issue. The Information Minister said, "I am making sure that Rozina is not treated unfairly." Journalist Rozina Islam will get justice, said Law Minister Advocate Md. Anisul Haque.
Journalist Rozina’s infant child is waiting for justice like everyone else.