US embassy cable - 05DHAKA1146

UNCLAS DHAKA 001146 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR I/FW, B/G, IIP/G/NEA-SA, B/VOA/N (BANGLA SERVICE) STATE 
FOR SA/PAB, SA/PPD (LSCENSNY, SSTRYKER), SA/RA, INR/R/MR, 
AND PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/ASIA/SA/B (WJOHNSON) 
 
CINCPAC FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR, J51 (MAJ TURNER), J45 
(MAJ NICHOLLS) 
 
USARPAC FOR APOP-IM (MAJ HEDRICK) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR, KPAO, PREL, BG, OCII 
SUBJECT: FINANCE MINISTER RAHMAN AND INDUSTRIES 
MINISTER/JAMAAT ISLAMI LEADER NIZAMI DENOUNCE BANGLADESHI 
MEDIA AS "IMAGE KILLERS" 
1.  During March 12-14, Finance Minister Saifur Rahman and 
Industries Minister Motiur Rahman Nizami, who is also leader 
of ruling coalition partner Jamaat Islami, denounced the 
 
Bangladeshi press for allegedly promoting a false and 
negative image of Bangladesh. 
2.  Rahman charged that Bangladesh's 100-150 daily 
newspapers have corrupted Bangladesh's image through 
"misguided headlines," and belittled journalists as educated 
people unable to find employment anywhere else.  He accused 
them of deliberately writing erroneous or slanted reports 
criticizing the government.  The "international community," 
he alleged, gives a one-sided impression of the country when 
it criticizes Bangladesh's corruption and governance 
problems.  Rahman also complained that foreign diplomats 
have been violating "diplomatic norms" by involving 
themselves in internal political issues.  (Note: He was 
referring to an interview given by the German ambassador.) 
3.  Nizami joined the fray when he stated that the "over 
exercise of democracy and press freedom" has resulted in 
Bangladesh's worldwide image crisis.  He lamented that "our 
success story could not make space in the international 
media." 
4.  Bangladeshi newspapers responded forcefully.  Widely 
read English and Bangla papers accused him of "media 
bashing" and making "vitriolic remarks against the press." 
One anonymous commentator stated that the image of the 
country "is built on good governance, transparency in 
government dealings, the rule of law, fulfilling commitments 
and not demonstrating an ostrich-like attitude. when it 
comes to facing unpalatable facts."  An unusually direct 
editorial cartoon on the front page of the prominent "Daily 
Star" depicted Rahman exclaiming, "You journalist scum are 
destroying `our' image," and a religious leader next to him 
urging, "Ban them." In the background, Bangladesh's "image" 
is a corrupt government official, an Islamic militant, and a 
thief riding atop an emaciated tiger while the "Clown 
Prince" (PM Zia's son Tarique Rahman) eats from the tiger's 
food bowl. 
5.  Another Bangla daily rejected charges of inaccurate 
reporting.  It countered: "Jamaat leader Nizami is angry at 
the excessive practice of democracy and the freedom of the 
press.  Does he want to limit the practice of democracy and 
curb the freedom of the press?"  It also suggested "Finance 
Minister Saifur Rahman said the newspapers do not want 
farmers to receive a fair price for their commodities.  Let 
us tell the Finance Minister: farmers are deprived of a fair 
price because of extortion, bribery by the police and the 
lack of transport facilities, not because of the media." 
6.  Comment: BDG officials have long charged that negative 
media reporting stems from the influence of the opposition 
Awami League and of India.  Rahman is periodically 
cantankerous on a wide range of issues, while Nizami's 
charge that anti-government reporting represents an abuse of 
freedom is an accurate reflection of his limited vision of 
democracy. 
 
 
Thomas