Corruption is the main problem of Bangladesh as a state. As the government is unable to take action against the corrupt, its negative impact is consuming the entire economy. A few people are involved in corruption but the whole country is the victim. High inflation in particular has become a major cause of public suffering. So the countrymen are angry with the corrupt people today. It doesn’t matter which department the corrupt people work in. It remains to be seen whether action is being taken against them.
Recently, the corruption of some top police officials has been leaked. The Police Service Association has issued a statement against the publication of these news. However, similar allegations of corruption against the officials of other departments of the government appear in the media almost regularly. But those departments did not stand for the corrupt.
The Police Association termed the report published on former and current members of the police as ‘exaggerated reports’. According to them, malignity is being spread due to personal grudges. These are referred to as unprofessional journalistic behavior. They requested the media to refrain from publishing such ‘misleading reports’. Basically, the news of the corruption of the former IG of Police Benazir Ahmed has been published for a few days. Illegal acquisition of huge immovable properties and unlimited abuse of power have come to light. This pandora’s box has been exposed on the basis of ACC investigation.
After that, the corruption of another former police officer was exposed. At the same time there are reports against some current police officers. We are not in favor of publishing exaggerated news. But the police association did not show where objectivity was violated. They can speak out against corruption for the sake of developing the police force. It can encourage the media to expose all the corrupt. Because through this, as the question of integrity of the forces is involved, the goal of making the country corruption-free will also be achieved. They could only talk about investigating and taking action against those who are corrupt. But the language in which they published the statement has affected the media. As a result, journalists’ organizations are protesting the publication of this statement. They see such statements by the association as a threat. Transparency International Bangladesh and the Anti-Corruption Commission have also criticized this initiative of the police association.
Questions have already been raised about the quality of mainstream journalism in Bangladesh. They do not publish investigative news about irregularities and corruption. Especially the powerful are keeping silent. So people are now becoming more interested in unreliable social media. An editor has already said that he knew about Benazir’s rampant corruption. But did not dare to express. When this is the reality, the Police Association’s statement will have a more negative impact on press freedom.
Tsunami of corruption is going on in Bangladesh. In this situation, everyone, regardless of party affiliation, must stand against the corrupt people who are the enemies of the nation. It is expected that journalists will be encouraged to publish objective news related to the root of corruption. Suppressing journalists will not be good for the country.