JOURNALIST facing obstacles in performing their professional duties in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar is concerning. A number of journalists have alleged that they are facing obstacles while covering the issues of the Rohingyas, who have fled violence in Myanmar in phases and are now sheltered in camps in Bangladesh. Journalists based in Cox’s Bazar also alleged that their access to the camps have been further restricted after the killing of the Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah on September 29. They have also alleged that the law enforcement agencies and local administrations barred journalists from even covering the funeral of the Rohingya leader. Journalists are also reportedly denied the cooperation they need to work in the camps, where so much is going on and impartial news of which are necessary for all quarters. Any obstacle to journalists in accessing the camps and covering the incidents therein runs contrary to both freedom of the press and to the interests of the Rohingyas, the local people and the government.
When it is expected that Bangladesh, along with the international community, would provide the necessary living standards in the camps, ensure safety and security of the Rohingyas and work for a voluntary and safe return of the Rohingyas to their homeland in the Rakhine state in Myanmar, a free press, with unhindered access to the camps, can contribute to the cause of the Rohingyas and to Bangladesh’s efforts to bring international attention. A free press can also contribute to the efforts of the law enforcement agencies to curb illegal activities such as trafficking in drugs and persons that have immediate and serious consequences on Bangladesh — reports of trafficking in Rohingyas from Cox’s Bazar and from Bhasan Char, where a number of Rohingyas have been accommodated recently, and trafficking in drug substances have come to worry all. A free press can dig into and bring to light the underlying causes and patterns of such crimes and the legitimate fears and concerns of the Rohingyas in the camps. A free press, especially the local press, is also believed to be able to play a positive role in reducing the tensions between the local people and the Rohingyas.
The government must, therefore, look into the allegations raised by journalists and ensure their access to the camps, both in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, for its own interest and for the interests of the local people and the Rohingyas. The law enforcement agencies and local administrations must also provide the support that journalists seek to cover the camps. The authorities must understand that a free press can help the government’s efforts, ranging from better camp management to an early, safe and sustainable Rohingya repatriation.
