DHAKA — Bangladesh’s leading newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, were forced to suspend publication for the first time in decades following coordinated mob attacks on Friday night. The violence erupted after news broke that Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent activist from the July uprising, had succumbed to gunshot wounds in Singapore.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The attackers looted at least 150 computers and high-end equipment while setting fire to several floors of the media offices. In a harrowing ordeal, 28 staff members at The Daily Star were trapped on the rooftop for hours as smoke filled the building, only to be rescued by security forces at dawn. While protesters accused the outlets of political bias, the interim government and international press freedom groups have condemned the violence as a direct assault on independent journalism.
Under Siege: A Night of Fire and Fear for Bangladesh’s Journalists
As midnight struck in Dhaka, the newsrooms that usually buzz with the sounds of deadlines were replaced by the sounds of shattering glass and roaring flames. For the first time in its 34-year history, The Daily Star went silent.
Fuelled by anger over the death of activist Sharif Osman Hadi, mobs stormed the buildings, destroying everything from hard drives to canteen supplies. On the rooftop of The Daily Star, nearly 30 journalists huddled in the dark, gasping for air as smoke billowed from the floors below. “I can’t breathe anymore,” posted investigative journalist Zyma Islam in a desperate plea for help. It would take five hours for the army and firefighters to reach them. The aftermath left a hollowed-out shell of a building—a stark symbol of the fragility of media freedom in a transitioning nation.
Key Facts: The Vandalism of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo
- The Trigger: The death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a 2024 uprising activist, who died from injuries in Singapore.
- The Damage: * 150+ computers and cameras stolen or destroyed.
- Utility lines (water, gas, electricity) severed.
- Fires set on multiple floors of The Daily Star headquarters.
- The Human Toll: 28 staff members were trapped on a rooftop for 4+ hours before being rescued by the military at 5:00 AM.
- Historical Significance: For the first time since their founding (34 years for The Daily Star), the newspapers could not print their daily editions.
- Response: Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and global media watchdogs have condemned the “vested interests” using public grief to incite violence against the press.
