Chief Advisor Claims ‘Unprecedented Media Freedom,’ Facebook Reacts with Laughter

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus recently stated that the country’s media enjoys “unprecedented freedom,” a claim that sparked widespread mockery on social media platforms.

During a meeting with a delegation from the Open Society Foundations at the State Guest House Jamuna on January 29, Dr. Yunus made this comment, which was later reported by several online news outlets. The reports triggered a wave of sarcastic reactions, with netizens flooding the posts with “haha” emojis and critical comments.

One user, Mohin Uddin Mohan, wrote, “The media has been destroyed in the hands of meticulous killers. All that’s left is to grow citrus fruits. Someone should hit you with a shoe.”

Expatriate Masud remarked, “The media’s pens have been broken. Freedom of speech for journalists has been stripped away.”

Another commenter, Nasir Uddin, criticized, “You’ve given immense freedom, indeed. Speak up, and you lose your job. Journalists are attacked, offices are vandalized—things that hadn’t happened in 17 years.”

Nusrat Fatema added, “What kind of freedom have you given? How many journalists are in jail, how many have lost their jobs, and how many face murder charges or had their accreditation cards revoked? Today, women journalists were even barred from the religious advisor’s press briefing. Is this what you call media freedom? Shame!”

The online backlash reflects the skepticism and frustration many feel about the state of press freedom in the country. Most reactions on news outlets’ Facebook posts consisted of laughter emojis and biting sarcasm.