A chilling threat has been made against Global TV Bangladesh in the capital, demanding the dismissal of the channel’s Head of News, Naznin Munni. Several young individuals visited the private television station’s office in Tejgaon and warned the management that if Munni was not removed, offices of Global TV, as well as other media outlets such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, would be set on fire. The visitors identified themselves as members of the so-called Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.
The incident occurred on the evening of 21 December. According to Munni, she was outside the office after an official meeting when, around 8:30 pm, seven to eight young men entered the Global TV premises. They initially met with the channel’s Managing Director, Ahmed Hossain, despite having made prior phone contact without clarifying the purpose of their visit.
During the meeting, the group first expressed dissatisfaction over the coverage of a recent sensitive event. The conversation soon shifted to Munni, whom they labelled as affiliated with the ruling Awami League and demanded her immediate removal. MD Ahmed Hossain firmly rejected the demand, emphasising that Munni’s appointment had followed proper verification procedures and there was no evidence of political affiliation.
Munni alleges that the threats escalated at this point, with the group warning of arson if their demands were not met. They even attempted to coerce a written commitment to terminate her employment within 48 hours. While Hossain refused to sign, a colleague accompanying him was pressured into doing so, according to Munni.
The following day, Munni made the incident public via social media, describing it as part of a systematic campaign to intimidate and exert pressure on journalists. She noted that she had previously faced political pressure in the workplace and stressed that unproven political accusations against her were unfair.
Rifat Rashid, central president of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, admitted that a member of the city branch, Prithu, had gone to Global TV without central approval and submitted a memorandum, though he denied that any arson threat was included. An internal inquiry has been initiated, and the concerned member has been issued a show-cause notice.
Munni asserts that a faction is deliberately attempting to intimidate independent journalism, creating an atmosphere of fear, and emphasises that she will not yield to such coercion. The incident has reignited concerns over media freedom and the safety of journalists in Bangladesh, with observers warning that failure to conduct a swift and impartial investigation could place press professionals at greater risk.
Incident Summary
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | 21 December |
| Location | Global TV Bangladesh Office, Tejgaon, Dhaka |
| Alleged Perpetrators | Individuals claiming to represent Anti-Discrimination Student Movement |
| Primary Demand | Dismissal of Naznin Munni |
| Nature of Threat | Threat of arson at office premises |
| Channel Management Response | Refused dismissal; declined to comment further |
The episode underscores the persistent threats facing journalists and highlights the urgent need for protective measures to safeguard media independence in Bangladesh.