Top Media Offices Attacked, Press Secretary Expresses Deep Regret

The offices of two of Bangladesh’s leading newspapers, Dainik Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, were subjected to a shocking wave of violence and arson, prompting public expressions of regret from the Press Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Principal Adviser, Shafiqul Alam. A former journalist himself, Alam openly admitted to a personal sense of failure, stating, “As a former journalist, all I can say is— I am deeply sorry.”

In a Facebook post, Alam described the harrowing events, explaining that throughout the night he received repeated calls from trapped colleagues inside both newspaper offices, pleading for assistance. “The helpless voices of my friends continue to haunt me,” he wrote. “I did everything within my power to mobilise support, contacting all relevant authorities to get help through, but unfortunately, it was not possible in time.”

He added that only after he confirmed the safe evacuation of all journalists trapped inside The Daily Star did he finally retire to rest. By then, however, both major news outlets had already suffered significant destruction and violent attacks.

Reflecting on the incident, Alam expressed profound shame: “I am utterly ashamed. I cannot imagine any words that can console the losses incurred. If it were possible, I would bury myself in the ground out of sheer embarrassment.” His statement underscored the deep personal and professional responsibility he felt as a former journalist, now confronted with the helplessness of the situation.

The attacks occurred shortly after news spread of the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of the Inkilab Manch, on Thursday night. Around midnight, a group of individuals first stormed the offices of Prothom Alo, followed by The Daily Star, engaging in widespread vandalism and arson. Numerous journalists were trapped inside both buildings during the chaos. At the scene, Nurul Kabir, editor of the English daily New Age, also faced obstruction from protestors while attempting to access the premises.

The violent incidents have sent shockwaves through Bangladesh’s journalistic community, provoking widespread concern and anger. Alam’s public admission of regret not only conveys personal remorse but also highlights the broader questions of media safety and accountability in times of civil unrest. His post has sparked significant discussion on social media, with many calling for robust governmental measures to prevent such attacks in the future.