Any attempt to silence the media through threats, attacks, or the fear of abduction and enforced disappearance cannot be tolerated

The allegations of assault, physical abuse, death threats, and threats of abduction and enforced disappearance against journalist Habibur Rahman, Editor and Publisher of Dainik Satnadi in Satkhira, have deeply concerned us. At the same time, these allegations raise a fundamental question before us: Should a journalist be able to publish news freely, or should he put away his pen out of fear for his own life after publishing a report?

The answer is absolutely clear—we do not want a Bangladesh where journalists are forced to put away their pens.

According to journalist Habibur Rahman’s allegation, he was threatened on several occasions over a report published in his newspaper. Later, on September 6, 2026, he was allegedly stopped on his way in the Satkhira municipal area and assaulted after entering a room at the municipality. There are also allegations that an attempt was made to strangle him and that he was threatened with serious consequences, including death.

We want to make one thing clear once again: The truth of these allegations is a matter for investigation. We do not intend to declare anyone guilty before the investigation is completed. However, there is equally no room to dismiss such serious allegations made by a journalist.

Because this is not merely a question about Habibur Rahman.

The question is—how safe is a journalist in Bangladesh?

If a report contains allegations or information about wrongdoing involving someone, the concerned person may naturally have objections. They can issue a rebuttal, present their own statement, refute the report with facts and evidence, or seek legal remedies if necessary. That is the normal and civilized course of action.

But if, in response to the publication of news, a journalist is stopped, verbally abused, physically attacked, threatened with death, or threatened with abduction and enforced disappearance—and if these allegations are proven true through investigation—then it is not merely an attack on an individual journalist. It is a direct assault on the rule of law and independent journalism.

We cannot, under any circumstances, encourage a culture where:

• News is answered with fists instead of arguments;
• Objections are expressed through threats instead of legal action;
• And journalists have to think about their own graves before writing the truth.

Such an environment is dangerous not only for the media but also for the state.

When a journalist goes into the field, they do not collect information only for themselves. They ask questions on behalf of the people. Issues that ordinary citizens may be unable to speak about openly are brought to light by journalists. Irregularities that remain hidden in the darkness are exposed to public scrutiny through journalism.

Therefore, intimidating a journalist does not mean intimidating only one individual—it means intimidating society’s right to ask questions.

If Habibur Rahman is intimidated today for publishing a report, another journalist may face the same situation tomorrow. Then perhaps a cameraman will become afraid to go into the field, a reporter will stop conducting investigations, and an editor will refrain from publishing sensitive or high-risk reports.

The consequences would be alarming—criminals would become more emboldened, corruption would go deeper, and the path through which the truth reaches the public would become increasingly narrow.

We want to say this in the strongest possible terms:

There can be no compromise between journalism and muscle power.

There can be no compromise between truth and intimidation.

There can be no compromise between the law and fear.

If anyone believes that money, power, political identity, social influence, or criminal force can be used to silence a journalist, that is not merely a misconception—it is an audacious attempt to undermine the authority of the law and the strength of the media.

A journalist may be silenced temporarily through threats or attacks, and a particular report may be stopped for a while. But the truth cannot be suppressed forever.

If one journalist’s voice is silenced, ten more journalists will ask questions. If one pen is taken away, hundreds more will write in defense of the truth.

The role of the administration is extremely important here.

We strongly urge the Satkhira District Administration, police authorities, and relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate journalist Habibur Rahman’s allegations with the utmost seriousness.

CCTV footage from the time of the incident, statements from eyewitnesses, medical records, and other relevant circumstantial evidence should be properly examined. The identities and roles of those named in the allegations, as well as any unidentified individuals mentioned in connection with the incident, should be thoroughly verified.

If the allegations are proven true through investigation, legal action must be taken against those responsible without yielding to any influence, pressure, or personal connections.

At the same time, if there is any genuine concern regarding the safety of journalist Habibur Rahman and his family, that concern must also be taken seriously.

The responsibility of law enforcement agencies is not limited to filing cases. Preventing potential threats before they turn into crimes is also an essential part of their duty.

This editorial is not a call for revenge against any individual. We do not call upon anyone to take the law into their own hands.

Our demand is simple:

Let there be an impartial investigation into the allegations.

Let the perpetrators be identified on the basis of evidence.

If the allegations are proven, let exemplary legal action be taken.

And if the allegations are found to be false, let that too be established through a proper investigation.

That is the rule of law.

We do not want a system of justice where decisions are made based on identity or influence. We want a system where evidence speaks, the law speaks, and truth prevails.

The responsibility of the journalism community is also significant following this incident.

Our protest against attacks on journalists must be united, but responsible. We must not compromise the dignity of journalism for personal or political interests. At the same time, whenever a journalist is attacked, we must stand beside them—because the safety of a journalist is not merely the concern of one newspaper; it is an issue concerning the entire media community.

When one journalist is attacked, the silence of fellow journalists can embolden those responsible.

Therefore, we must stand united on issues of truth, justice, and professional independence.

As a responsible media organization, The Tourist has always stood for truth, public interest, and investigative journalism.

In response to the allegations of assault and threats against journalist Habibur Rahman, the The Tourist family expresses its solidarity with his professional safety and his right to practice independent journalism.

If anyone has objections to any report published about them, seeking legal recourse is the acceptable course of action. But threatening or attacking a journalist can never be considered normal or acceptable.

We believe:

A journalist’s pen must remain free.

An editor’s decisions must remain independent.

The public’s right to know must remain protected.

The rule of law must apply equally to everyone.

The incident involving Habibur Rahman is a warning to all of us.

If we remain silent today, many more journalists may have to pay the price for that silence tomorrow.

That is why we must make it clear today:

Journalism cannot be stopped through intimidation.

Questions cannot be silenced through attacks.

Truth cannot be imprisoned through threats.

The media cannot be held hostage through the fear of enforced disappearance.

The right to publish news in Bangladesh is not a favor granted by anyone. It is an essential component of a democratic society.

If anyone has a complaint against a journalist’s work—bring arguments.

If there is an objection to a report—bring facts.

If something is believed to be unjust—seek legal remedies.

But no one has the right to lay a hand on a journalist.

The Tourist demands an impartial investigation into the allegations of assault and threats against journalist Habibur Rahman and appropriate legal action based on the findings.

Because we believe:

“Silencing the pen does not silence the news;
when truth is threatened, it speaks even louder.”

Md. Kamal Uddin
Deputy Editor
The Tourist Newspaper