Bangladesh witnessed a devastating fire at one of its largest and most strategic power generation facilities, the Matarbari Power Plant. Despite the significance of this incident, national media coverage has been minimal. There has been little investigative reporting and no rigorous questioning of authorities or responsible state institutions. Such silence is more than surprising—it represents a direct threat to public safety, institutional transparency, and citizen trust.
This lack of accountability is not an isolated case. From Teknaf to Tetulia, Rupsha to Pathuria, incidents of murder, rape, assault, mob violence, robbery, theft, fraud, illegal occupation, and abuse of power occur daily. Most of these cases are either reduced to a few lines in news reports or remain entirely unreported. The effect is insidious: crime slowly becomes “normalised,” while perpetrators receive tacit encouragement and impunity.
When news is suppressed, crime increases. This is not speculation; it is a stark reality. Failure of the media to discharge its responsibilities undermines public confidence. Citizens begin to question whether news equals truth and whether truth even reaches the news at all. Such reluctance and distrust foster a culture of silence, creating a vacuum where disorder flourishes and resentment towards state institutions grows.
Most concerning is that certain elements within law enforcement exploit this silence. By avoiding scrutiny, declaring “everything is under control,” or shielding those in power, accountability erodes. With media failing to probe, opportunities for public questioning diminish, reinforcing a culture of impunity.
| Systemic Failures and Consequences | Observation |
|---|---|
| Media underreporting critical events | Reduces public awareness; delays response |
| Routine crimes ignored or trivialised | Normalisation of violence; emboldened perpetrators |
| Law enforcement negligence | Shielding influential actors; weakened accountability |
| Erosion of public trust | Distrust in both media and institutions |
| Culture of silence | Encourages disorder; undermines democratic oversight |
Media is neither a mouthpiece for any party nor a shield for any group; it is the eyes and voice of the people. When the eyes are closed, the state becomes blind; when the voice is silenced, injustice speaks loudest. The silence surrounding Matarbari and other crises is not neutrality—it effectively sides with wrongdoing.
Breaking this silence requires courage, investigative journalism, and the determination to question authority. Failure to do so will make society, the state, and the media collectively accountable for escalating disorder. Silence is never a solution—it is often crime’s greatest accomplice. Recognising this truth is essential if Bangladesh is to emerge from the shadow of growing lawlessness.
Author: Editor and Publisher – Khabarwala
