My unwavering struggle for Bangladesh's first private terrestrial TV channel, Ekushey Television (ETV), has been relentless. The station has faced repeated takeovers, and I have personally endured severe consequences. I was imprisoned for my association with ETV and even forced to leave the country. Yet, I have never wavered in my commitment to ETV, freedom of speech, and a free and independent media.
November 25, 2015, marks a dark chapter in ETV’s history. On that day, the station was taken over by the S Alam Group, led by Abdus Sobhan Golap, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Approximately a year prior, I was detained at night while leaving the ETV building. That arrest led to nearly three years of imprisonment.
My fight for ETV and the values it represents continues, despite the immense challenges and sacrifices.
After my arrest, seven false cases were filed against me, and I was remanded. During this time, I was subjected to severe torture aimed at forcing me to hand over ownership of ETV. However, I refused, firmly stating that I would never sign any documents, even if my fingers were amputated. Failing to coerce me, they fabricated various fake documents. After spending about a year in jail, ETV was seized using those forged papers. Behind this orchestrated attack was Sheikh Hasina, the fallen dictator.
Throughout my career, I have strived to remain an independent journalist. In the 2014 elections, which were marred by widespread rigging, ETV exposed the irregularities, showing images of unopposed victories for 154 candidates. This truthful coverage enraged Sheikh Hasina.
The situation escalated further on January 5, 2015, when I broadcast a live speech by Tarique Rahman, the current Acting Chairman of the BNP, from London. This provided Sheikh Hasina with the pretext she needed to detain me. In the early hours of January 6, I was arrested. Following my detention, several of my family members, including my younger brother, and others associated with ETV were arrested and tortured by the DGFI.
After my arrest, the government orchestrated a plot to take over ETV, involving two intelligence agencies and a group of journalists. On November 25, 2015, under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina's then Special Assistant Abdus Sobhan Golap, S Alam Group seized control of the station. The final planning meeting before the takeover took place at Hotel Sonargaon, located opposite the ETV building. Commander M Sohail, a then-officer of the DGFI, played a key role in the operation, supported by other officials.
The takeover also involved former Awami League office secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, Sheikh Russell Jatiya Shishu Kishore Parishad general secretary KM Shahidullah, and S Alam Group representatives. Following the takeover, Abdus Sobhan Golap was appointed Managing Director of ETV. Workers were dismissed without justification, and beloved programs such as Mukta-khabar, Janatar Katha, and Ekusher Chokh were abruptly canceled. Additionally, valuable broadcasting equipment was looted, and the station was transformed into a propaganda tool under Sheikh Hasina's administration. ETV, once a bastion of free journalism, was stripped of its independence.
What saddens me most is that, following my arrest, ETV journalists across the country protested courageously. However, pro-Awami journalist organizations and leaders remained silent. Worse, some actively conspired to ensure that I remained imprisoned.
After the officers of GGFI were promoted, Sohail was appointed Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority. As expected, he was arrested after August 5, 2024 and is now in prison.
On August 5, when the student uprising liberated the country, ETV was also freed. That day, the ETV staff brought me to the station, and we witnessed the taste of freedom. ETV, too, tasted liberation. We embarked on a new journey, and my commitment is to ensure that ETV continues to move forward with independent journalism. ETV’s legacy of struggle will remain strong.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established BaKSAL, shutting down all newspapers except two. His daughter, Sheikh Hasina, followed a similar path, taking control of ETV. The seizure of Ekushey Television was one of the greatest attacks on press freedom and free speech. But dictatorships do not last. The new journey of Bangladesh, and the renewed journey of ETV, is proof of that.
On April 14, 2000, Ekushey TV officially began its broadcast. It was shut down in 2002 but, after five long years of struggle, we returned to the air in 2007. The last dictator, Sheikh Hasina, fell in 2015, but ETV never bowed. My struggle continues. ETV’s fight for independent and free journalism will never stop; and neither will I.
Author: Chairman & CEO, Ekushey Television
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
