Global TV Head of News Nazneen Munni expressed her fear that the country’s television sector is once again on the path of partyization. In a long post on social media Facebook about the recent formation of a council of television editors, he questioned whether this council really represents “inclusive journalism” and media freedom.
In Status, he alleged, most of the council members are journalists close to the BNP and they will now dictate the policies of the television stations – a new version of party control of the past.
He wrote, in the past, a photograph of television editors with Sheikh Hasina had sparked widespread criticism and that’s when he realized that journalism based on party loyalty would push the country’s television media to ruin. He also mentioned that many experienced journalists have been forced to leave the country, leave their jobs or face lawsuits.
In the most talked about part, Nazneen Munni questioned why she was not called to the council despite being the head of news of a television. In her words, “Do the elder brothers think that I am unfit as a woman, or do women say leadership is haram? Or is it because I am not a pro-BNP journalist?”
He further expressed fear that the televisions are once again going to become a “box” for the implementation of the party’s agenda. This will further curtail independent journalism in the future and reduce the credibility of journalists with the general public.
At the end of the status, calling to protect the independence and professionalism of journalism, he said, “That which is beyond party loyalty, that is the real journalism.”
