Zulkarnain Saer criticises Prothom Alo over one-sided reporting

Journalist Zulkarnain Saer has sharply criticised media narratives in Prothom Alo, particularly its reporting on the country’s leading conglomerate Bashundhara Group, alleging inconsistency, selective framing, and politically influenced storytelling in corporate and financial sector coverage.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Saer compared Prothom Alo’s reporting on Bashundhara Group to what he described as a situation where a sieve is questioning a needle about a hole behind it, suggesting perceived hypocrisy or selective scrutiny in media narratives.

He referred to past allegations involving Prothom Alo, owned by Transcom Group, including claims of links with the ULFA insurgent group, close contact with Indian intelligence agencies, and attempts to construct narratives under the influence of individuals from the ousted Awami League government.

He questioned why such issues are often ignored in public discourse.

Turning to Prothom Alo’s recent reporting on banking sector controversies involving S Alam, Saer claimed that some coverage presents a narrative in which the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) is portrayed as independently taking over banks without broader political context.

He alleged that such reporting tends to omit or minimise the involvement of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her close associate Tarique Ahmed Siddique, whom he described as key figures in related decisions and operations.

In a more critical analogy, he suggested that some reports create a simplified storyline in which the DGFI chief is depicted as acting on a dream-like impulse to seize control of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, sending forces overnight to complete the takeover, without acknowledging any preceding political developments.

The post also included a separate question regarding the whereabouts and current role of Gausul Azam Shaon, who Saer alleged is associated with controversies involving former energy minister Nasrul Hamid Bipu.

He further claimed that Shaon has recently been given responsibility within a Transcom-owned creative agency Dotbirth Limited.