DHAKA – Naznin Munni, the Head of News at Global TV Bangladesh, has spoken out after a group of youths threatened to burn down the station’s office if she was not fired. The incident occurred on December 21, when individuals claiming to represent the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement stormed the office, labeling Munni an “aide” to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Despite Munni’s denial of any political affiliation, the group issued a 48-hour ultimatum, warning that Global TV would suffer the same fate as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star—both of which were recently vandalized and set on fire. While the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement has distanced itself from the threats, the incident marks a sharp escalation in violence against journalists following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. The interim government currently faces mounting pressure to secure the safety of the press and minority groups.
I Am Not a Politician”: Naznin Munni Breaks Silence on Targeted Threats
For veteran journalist Naznin Munni, the last 15 days have turned a career in news into a fight for survival. The Global TV anchor is the latest target of a growing wave of media intimidation in Bangladesh. Last Saturday, a group of youths arrived at her office with a chilling demand: her immediate sacking.
The attackers accused Munni of being a “fascist collaborator” and a supporter of the Awami League. “They labeled me an aide to Sheikh Hasina without any proof,” Munni told India Today. This “guilt by association” has become a dangerous trend in Dhaka; just days prior, the offices of the country’s largest newspapers were torched. Despite the student movement leadership disowning the group, the threat remains a stark reminder of the lawlessness currently gripping the nation’s media landscape.
The Price of Reporting: Bangladesh’s Media Under Siege
The recent targeting of Global TV’s Naznin Munni underscores a deteriorating environment for press freedom in Bangladesh. Following the death of anti-India leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a series of coordinated attacks has hit major media houses.
Key Developments:
- The Ultimatum: Youths demanded Munni’s removal, threatening arson if the station did not comply within two days.
- The Allegation: Munni is being accused of pro-Awami League bias, a claim she and her management categorically deny.
- The Pattern: This follows the burning of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo offices, signaling that any outlet deemed “insufficiently revolutionary” by extremist elements is at risk.
While the interim government has expressed grief over the recent unrest, the lack of arrests in the Global TV case highlights the challenges of maintaining rule of law during the current political transition.
