Is Daily Star anti-establishment?

For instance, Mr. Anam wrote, "We proudly recall the national media's role during the past more than 13 years of democracy. We think media has served the interest of people with patriotism, commitment to democracy, fundamental rights, public interest and fair play. We have spoken out fearlessly against corruption, abuse of power, nepotism, partisanship and power-hungry leadership." Fact is: print media in Bangladesh is so poor that the highest circulated newspaper reaches only to over 200,000 people in a country of over 130 million.

Newspapers round the world carry editorial and post-editorial to express the opinion of editorial leaders. Outside Bangladesh, few newspapers will allow the liberty to editors to have a separate column, appearing in the front page, where an editor can indulge in the expression of his opinions that are, however well intended, subjective. And, when subjective issues are expressed with selective adjectives, the twist seems obvious and those against whom it is intended are deprived of self-defence. They can not reach the same audience as the editor(s) can.

There are few newspapers in Dhaka which have credibility and acceptibility. With respect to dependability, we depend more on the BBC and the VOA for news and views than on the local press, especially during any political upheaval. Let me come to the PM's reference to the press in her address. The Commentary was right in saying that she did not earn herself any credit by that speech. Those advising her and those who drafted the speech damaged her standing seriously.

That notwithstanding, there is also a point where she and her advisers have a reason to feel that the press is not friendly with the regime. While the AL was in power, the law and order was no better than what is now. But a murder during BNP rule gets hyped-up in the media and creates panic among ordinary people. The fact that we have been very successful recently in financial management remains obscure to the media, for obscure reasons. I for one have not seen any newspaper, not even this one, writing a commentary on the high recommendations that the IMF has given to Bangladesh on this account.

Finally, I have a different opinion about this paper's Commentary. Somehow I cannot understand whether the Editor's commentary is written out of a genuine feeling for assisting the government see its errors, or, is it that this paper has an anti-establishment role to play?

When the AL was in power, The Daily Star earned the AL's wrath and was considered to be pro-BNP. Now it is being perceived by the BNP as pro-AL. May be this is the real role of a media in any democracy; to keep the government in the right track. After all, our opposition law makers are not in the parliament to influence government decisions. Media must come forward to fill the gap.