The Echo Chamber

Listen to Today's Edition
Voiced by Amazon Polly

The only newspaper of Bangladesh’s main opposition party stopped publishing this week after a government suspension order was upheld by a government-affiliated body, raising concerns about the country’s press freedoms and political plurality, Agence France-Presse reported.

The Dainik Dinkal had been the voice of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for more than 30 years.

The newspaper was known to cover stories that mainstream publications – most of which are controlled by pro-government businesspeople – rarely do, including the arrests of BNP activists and supporters.

The issue began in December when authorities ordered the newspaper’s shutdown, saying the Dainik Dinkal’s printing permit was canceled because it violated Bangladesh’s printing and publishing laws.

However, the publication continued to publish after lodging an appeal at the press council headed by a top high court judge.

But earlier this week, the council rejected the appeal, adding that the paper’s publisher Tarique Rahman – who is also the acting chief of the BNP – was a convicted criminal and was living abroad without handing over his position to another individual.

The newspaper noted that the authorities did not accept Rahman’s decision to resign and appoint a new publisher.

Journalists and unions staged small protests over the shutdown and described the government’s decision as a “reflection of the repression of opposition voices.”

The shutdown marks another instance of the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina silencing criticism and dissent. Bangladesh’s government has come under local and international scrutiny over what critics call creeping authoritarianism.

Last month, officials shut down 191 websites that it accused of disseminating “anti-state news,” citing intelligence reports.

Not already a subscriber?

If you would like to receive DailyChatter directly to your inbox each morning, subscribe below with a free two-week trial.

Subscribe today

Support journalism that’s independent, non-partisan, and fair.

If you are a student or faculty with a valid school email, you can sign up for a FREE student subscription or faculty subscription.

Questions? Write to us at hello@dailychatter.com.

You don't have credit card details available. You will be redirected to update payment method page. Click OK to continue.

Copy link