MSF Voices Alarm Over Attacks On Media Institutions

The Human Rights and Cultural Advocacy Organisation, the Manobadhikar O Sangskriti Foundation (MSF), has expressed profound concern over the recent spate of attacks, vandalism, and arson targeting media houses and cultural institutions across the country. According to the foundation, the government’s continued silence and apparent indifference have emboldened certain groups to carry out such destructive acts with impunity, posing serious risks to social harmony and political stability.

In a statement signed by MSF’s founder and chairperson, Sultana Kamal, the organisation emphasised that ensuring a safe and secure environment for journalists is a fundamental responsibility of any government. She further stressed that those responsible for these violent incidents must be swiftly identified and brought to justice.

The foundation’s apprehensions intensified following the events of last Thursday night, when the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star came under attack. Reportedly, journalists at both locations were left terrified, with some forced to cry out for their own safety. In a related incident, Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, also faced harassment. MSF reported that similar attacks and acts of vandalism were reported at Prothom Alo offices in multiple districts, highlighting a deeply worrying pattern.

The organisation also noted that cultural institutions have not been spared. On the same day, the Chhayanaut Cultural Centre suffered vandalism, and on Friday night, the Udichi office was targeted in an arson attack. MSF warned that the government’s inaction and lack of accountability have effectively allowed organised groups to operate freely, creating instability and undermining the transparency and fairness of the upcoming electoral process.

According to MSF, even when disagreements are purely personal or political, using such conflicts as a pretext to destroy institutions constitutes a direct assault on press freedom, freedom of expression, and independent thought. The foundation described these attacks as “alarming signals” for the country’s democratic framework and governance system. Despite official recognition of the importance of media independence, the failure to protect journalists and cultural workers has raised serious questions about the government’s effectiveness and commitment to justice.

MSF concluded by calling for urgent, decisive action to safeguard media and cultural institutions, insisting that the state must prioritise the protection of those who uphold free expression and preserve the nation’s cultural heritage.