'The best ever and historic' election sans free media?

Illustration: TBS

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said his government is planning to make the upcoming general election of Bangladesh "the best ever and historic."

On 13 January, during a meeting with Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, the head of the interim government said, "We want to make it an example, a historical example."

Later, on several occasions, he reiterated the same promise.

The reality on the ground, however, poses extraordinary challenges never seen before in any past elections. Translating his pledge into reality appears to be a Herculean task.

The appalling state of the law enforcement agencies, the administration, and the electoral system is yet to win people's confidence that they would be able to make the election "the best ever and historic." Scepticism, therefore, runs high. Only 50% of people, according to a latest public opinion survey by Prothom Alo, are optimistic that elections would be free and fair.

Against this backdrop, on 18 December, the shocking attacks, vandalism and arson at the offices of the country's leading dailies — The Daily Star and Prothom Alo — delivered a bone-chilling effect on the freedom of the press.

The next day, from an emergency meeting, the Editors' Council and the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) expressed deep concern and strong condemnation. "This attack is not only on the media but also on our society and democratic values. Ultimately, it is an assault on Bangladesh itself," the two organisations said in a joint statement.

Many civil society personalities and organisations blamed the law enforcement agencies for taking no action to stop the mob. The next day, the chief adviser, in a statement, urged people to resist all mobs.

But after the attacks, the message everyone gets is that no one is safe. No red line has been drawn. The area is full of landmines. Media outlets and journalists are gripped by the fear of mob attack. Journalists who seek the truth and tell people the truth now feel vulnerable like never before.

With the election fever hitting the country, will they feel safe to dig into the truth and tell voters the truth through their election reporting? Can the media play the due role of watchdogs during the election? Will they feel safe to investigate the claims made by candidates and political parties in their affidavits and election manifestos, respectively, and uncover the abuse of power and corrupt electoral practices? Will they feel safe scrutinising the backgrounds of the parliamentary aspirants? Will they feel safe to investigate and expose the failure of the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies to ensure a level playing field? 

Everything — from civil liberties to the economy, from new investment for employment generation to fighting inflation — depends on the quality of the upcoming election. If the election is credible, Bangladesh will have the scope to rebuild its economy and key institutions such as parliament, judiciary, police and administration needed for a democracy.

Will they feel safe to expose any attempt to manipulate or rig the election by using money and muscle power? Will they feel safe to verify misinformation and disinformation and expose the perpetrators behind it to manipulate the election? If they fail to do so, where will voters get information to make their informed and meaningful choice?

Do people still expect journalists to keep doing independent journalism during the election despite the risks of facing difficulty in continuing operations? 

The prevailing situation has raised the big question: Is it possible to hold "the best ever and historic" election without a free press? Local and global experts in a single word will give the same answer: NO.

In fact, they have already, time and again in their numerous research works, concluded unequivocally that free and fair elections are not possible without a free press.

According to Unesco, protecting freedom of expression and access to information is essential for democracy: when information is accurate, extensive and available, elections remain free and fair, and democracy thrives.

But in the absence of the free media, who will do the job?

Political analysts are continuously saying Bangladesh now stands at a crossroads ahead of the national election, which is set to pave the way for transition to democracy after the fall of the autocratic regime led by Sheikh Hasina in a popular uprising in August last year.  

In past months, uncertainty loomed large over whether the election would be held in February. The announcement of the election schedule on 11 December by the Election Commission largely reduced that uncertainty. But just the next day after the announcement of the election schedule, the targeted shooting of Inquilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, who succumbed to injuries, raised concern about the safety and security of the candidates and voters in the election.    

Everything — from civil liberties to the economy, from new investment for employment generation to fighting inflation — depends on the quality of the upcoming election. If the election is credible, Bangladesh will have the scope to rebuild its economy and key institutions such as parliament, judiciary, police and administration needed for a democracy.

Therefore, the 12 February election and the referendum appear to be one of the most important political events in the history of Bangladesh. Their outcomes will determine the country's future path.

Free media is frequently described by political scientists and international organisations as the "oxygen of elections" to emphasise that democracy cannot survive without the "clean air" of information. It is difficult to find any example of holding a democratic election without free media.

What will Bangladesh do? Will it head for "the best ever and historic" election sans free media? Will it keep the sword of Damocles hanging over the freedom of the press?

Or, will the government take game-changing measures to guarantee the freedom of the press for holding the "best ever and historic" election in February? The ball is now in the court of the government.