Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha chief exits office after employee demonstration

Staff revolt forces Mahbub Morshed out of office

The Managing Director (MD) and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Mahbub Morshed has left the organisation’s Dhaka office following protests by journalists and staff.

The demonstration took place at the BSS Headquarters in Paltan on Wednesday, where a section of employees declared him “unwelcome” in the state-run news agency.

Morshed, who was appointed MD and chief editor by the interim government for a two-year term in August 2024 after the July Uprising, accused the staff of creating a “mob” to pressure his removal instead of following proper contractual procedures.

In a Facebook post, he wrote, “There are recognised procedures to cancel a contract or remove someone. Why create a mob, attack, and lock the office instead?”

According to BSS journalists, the protest was preceded by a meeting at the office attended by leaders of the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).

Employees raised complaints against Morshed and later visited his office to formally convey that he was unwelcome, prompting him to leave.

He did not return to the office after leaving.

Morshed alleged that he was threatened by “outsiders”.

He told bdnews24.com, “A number of outsiders, along with some journalists and employees, forcibly entered my room and issued threats. Several of them came towards me in an aggressive manner. In that situation, I tactfully left the office.”

Referring to a meeting held at the BSS office earlier, he said: “If there were any complaints or demands, they could have raised them. There are authorities above me they could have approached, but they did not do so.”

DRU Secretary General Khurshid Alam told bdnews24.com that the meeting allowed journalists to voice grievances over alleged misconduct during Morshed’s tenure.

“After hearing their complaints, I showed support for their right to raise issues,” he said. “Later, the employees informed the MD he was not wanted, and he left the office.”

The protests come days after a newly formed staff committee under the Nationalist Union of BSS employees held a meeting to address internal grievances.

BSS sources said tensions between Morshed and staff had persisted, including disputes with journalists’ unions and complaints over arbitrary personnel decisions.

Morshed alleged that he was threatened by “outsiders”.

He told bdnews24.com, “A number of outsiders, along with some journalists and employees, forcibly entered my room and issued threats. Several of them came towards me in an aggressive manner. In that situation, I tactfully left the office.”

Referring to a meeting held at the BSS office the same day, he said: “If there were any complaints or demands, they could have raised them. There are authorities above me they could have approached, but they did not do so.”