The Bangladeshi media has been increasingly intimidated into silence in terms of criticizing the current government. This situation has been symbolized by the continued harassment of Mahfuz Anam, the editor of the Daily Star, which was covered recently in the New York Times. The article states, “With political opposition dwindling, it has become increasingly risky to publish material critical of the government.”
This vacuum is being partially filled by the international media. For example, the Economist recently published a leader (editorial) that covered the political situation in Bangladesh. (The article appeared in the print edition under the headline “Sheikh Hasina’s folly.”)
It opens with these words: “Sheikh Hasina Wajed has inflicted many injuries on Bangladesh’s democracy. She has pursued a dogged vendetta against her main rival for the job of prime minister, Khaleda Zia, hounding her supporters and persecuting her party. She has picked on any prominent person or institution that is not beholden to her, from Muhammad Yunus, a microcredit pioneer, to Bangladesh’s biggest Islamic bank.”
Clearly, the work of protecting Professor Yunus is part of a broader struggle going on in Bangladesh today.