Journalist Declared a ‘July Martyr’ Turns Up and Says, “I’m Not Dead”

❐ BD Digest Desk

An event organized to present the journalists killed in the July clashes has been accused of using a picture of living journalist Mizanur Rahman Sohel to show him as dead. However, the name of another deceased journalist was mentioned with the picture. Questions have been raised about fact-checking and accountability surrounding the incident.

The incident took place at an event titled ‘July through the eyes of a journalist’ at a five-star hotel in the capital on Monday, August 17. The event, organized by the Democratic Journalists Alliance (DJA), was hosted by Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip in the National Parliament, Md. Nahid Islam, as the chief guest.

Journalist Mizanur Rahman Sohel alleged that in a presentation at the event, he was presented as having been killed in Habiganj on July 4, 2024. However, although his photo was used there, the name was given as journalist Sohel Akanjir.

In a post on his social media, Sohel wrote, ‘I am Mizanur Rahman Sohel. I am a writer and journalist by profession. And yes, I am still alive.’

Sohel said that after the incident, many acquaintances, colleagues and journalists called to ask if the news of his death was true. As a result, he has to repeatedly confirm that he is alive. In his words, ‘I am not dead.’

Sohel claims that presenting a living person as dead cannot be seen as a mere factual error. Such errors have social and professional implications. Especially if the matter spreads on social media, there is a risk of confusion among family, relatives, acquaintances and colleagues.

He questioned why the names and pictures of journalists were not verified before being used in public presentations, and said that more caution should have been exercised in fact-checking a sensitive issue like the journalists killed in the July clashes.

However, while not wanting to accuse anyone unnecessarily, Sohel said he wants a responsible explanation and correction on who is responsible for the mistake, who collected and verified the information, and after whose approval the presentation was shown at the event.

The DJA invitation stated that the event was intended to commemorate and highlight the role of journalists working in July. The event itself, which used a photo of a living journalist to portray him as dead, has raised new questions about the event’s fact-checking process.

When asked about this, NCP joint convener Sarwar Tushar said, “The name of the slain journalist was correct in the documentary of the event. However, the photo was unintentionally used incorrectly. The matter will be corrected and a notification will be issued expressing regret for this, he said.

Later, the NCP’s media cell issued a statement expressing regret over the incident. The statement said that the incident was “purely accidental”.

The release further said that Mizanur Rahman Sohel is well-known in the world of online and digital journalism in the country. For such a mistake, the NCP’s Media, Branding and Publicity Subcommittee is expressing its apologies to Mizanur Rahman Sohel and everyone concerned. It has also been requested to look into the matter with a forgiving eye.