Media Devoured by the Ruthless Clutches of the Mob

Staff Correspondent | 3 August 2025

The seizure of the head office of the Daily Janakantha newspaper has sparked intense discussion and criticism across the country. It has been alleged that a group associated with the July-August quota reform movement is behind the seizure. Many see this incident as an interference in the freedom of the media. In addition, the incident of mobs occupying various media houses and newspaper offices after August 5 in the name of July agitators has also raised concerns.

Janakantha office occupation incident It has been alleged that a group of people entered the head office of Dainik Janakantha on the night of 2 August 2025 and occupied the office. Various videos circulating on social media show that the occupation took place under the leadership of the joint member secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP) named Joynal Abedin Shishir. The members of the Anti-Discrimination and NCP together announced a 6-member editorial panel and made announcements through microphones.

The incident began with a sabotage in protest against the Janakantha newspaper’s stance against the July Movement and in favor of the August 5 mourning period. In response, the newspaper’s front page was painted red and it was claimed that the journalists who supported the July Movement were illegally dismissed.

A source at Janakantha said that some leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement and their supporters, who expressed anger against the newspaper’s editorial policy, were behind the takeover.

The editor of the newspaper, Shamima Atiqullah Khan, said in a video message that she had given instructions to paint the front page of the newspaper red to mark the August Uprising. But the conspirators painted the front page black in order to seize the newspaper office by creating an issue, and in the context of this issue, they created a mob and seized the newspaper.

 Occupying media houses and newspaper offices after August 5

Political and social unrest has increased in Bangladesh since the fall of the Awami League government and the departure of Sheikh Hasina on 5 August 2024. During this time, leaders and activists of the anti-discrimination student movement associated with the July-August quota reform movement have been involved in allegations of interference in various media houses and newspaper offices. According to information circulated on social media and various reports, the group was angry about the role of the media during the anti-government movement.

In a notable incident, five journalists from a private TV channel were allegedly fired after a top leader of the anti-discrimination student movement intervened on December 18, 2024. The complainants claim that the movement leaders met with the director of the channel’s investment company, provided a list of 10 journalists, and pressured him to take action against them.

In addition, according to reports published in various media outlets, since August 5, mobs have attacked, vandalized, and attempted to control the offices of several newspapers and TV channels. These incidents are allegedly being blamed on a section of the July protesters, who are trying to exert their influence over the media after the fall of the government. As a result of this intervention, political parties have been seen influencing editorial changes and new appointments in some media outlets, raising questions about the independence of journalism.

Concerns about media freedom

The interim government’s chief adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, promised to ensure freedom of the media and expression in his address to the nation on September 11, 2024. However, critics believe that these incidents contradict that promise. In particular, allegations of interference in the media through the creation of mobs have created panic among journalists. The government has said that strict action will be taken against mob terrorists, and previous cases against journalists are being canceled through the Cyber ​​Security Ordinance.

Media freedom groups have strongly condemned the incidents. “Interference with the media in the name of the movement is a threat to democracy and freedom of expression,” said a senior journalist, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This is a new form of control that could be even more dangerous than under the previous government.”

Some of the coordinators of the July Movement denied the allegations, saying they support media freedom and that such incidents are not in line with the main goal of their movement. However, there have been demands for an investigation into these incidents and action against those involved.

The occupation of the Janakantha office and the subsequent interference in various media outlets after August 5 have created new challenges for media freedom in Bangladesh. There is growing demand for a proper investigation into these incidents and legal action against those responsible. It is now the responsibility of the interim government to protect media freedom and prevent a recurrence of such incidents.