Hasina irked at media blackout on Khaleda’s ‘assets in Saudi Arabia’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is unhappy about the media blackout on BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s ’assets in Saudi Arabia’.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 7 Dec 2017, 08:02 PM
Updated : 7 Dec 2017, 08:02 PM

At a news conference at the Ganbhaban on Thursday, she also asked whether the journalists had any financial interest in not publishing the ‘news’.

She pointed out that only two newspapers and as many TV channels covered the issue. "You (journalists) will scramble on the report if it relates to me.”

Government-controlled news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Managing Editor Abul Kalam Azad, Samakal Editor Golam Sarwar, The Daily Observer Editor and Prime Minister’s Media Affairs Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, National Press Club President Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman, BFUJ President Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Amader Orthoneeti Editor Nayeemul Islam Khan, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, Ekattor TV Managing Director Mozammel Haque Babu and ATN Bangla Chief Executive Editor ZE Mamun, among others, were present.

A few media outlets of Bangladesh recently reported that anti-graft investigation in Saudi Arabia has revealed that Khaleda and members of her family have assets in the Kingdom.

In these stories, the media outlets cited reports by ‘Global Intelligence Network’ and ‘Canadian TV channel The National or GIN’, but no media with these names have been found on the internet.

A programme on Canada’s state media is titled ‘The National’, but no report on Khaleda was found there.

GIN is a business intelligence agency of Symantec, not a media outlet.

Immediately after the prime minister finished her speech on her recent Cambodia visit, Bulbul asked her about Khaleda’s assets in Saudi Arabia.

“We haven’t covered that Khaleda owns a large shopping mall in Saudi Arabia. I haven’t noticed any eagerness to publish this news,” an angry Hasina said.

“We’ve run a search. Only two channels and two newspapers published the report,” she said.

Hasina asked the journalists why they did not publish the report, but no one answered.

“What holds you back from reporting it? Or have you received cards for free shopping?” she asked.

“Why? Is this because we are trying war criminals while they (Khaleda) made them ministers?” 

“Why should I reply to your questions?” she asked.

She also mentioned that the Awami League government gave licences to a number of TV stations after returning to power in 2009.