‘Black Day for Journalism’: Bangladesh Media Houses Attacked and Torched in Wave of Unrest.

DHAKA: The media fraternity in Bangladesh is in shock after violent mobs targeted leading news outlets following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. In a series of arson attacks late Thursday night, protesters stormed the offices of the country’s prominent newspapers—The Daily Star and Prothom Alo—causing extensive damage and trapping staff members inside for several hours.

The Daily Star described the incident as one of the “darkest days” for independent journalism in the country. Consulting editor Kamal Ahmed informed the BBC that for the first time in 35 years, the paper was unable to publish its print edition. The attackers, allegedly motivated by perceptions of the outlets being sympathetic to the ousted Awami League and India, vandalised and torched the premises as security forces struggled to contain the mob.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus has strongly condemned the violence, stating that “attacks on journalists are attacks on truth itself.” He expressed solidarity with the affected journalists and promised full justice. The interim government has also declared Saturday a national day of mourning for Hadi, whose death has pushed the country back into a state of volatile unrest just weeks before the February elections. (NDTV)

For more details: Navamalayalam.com