Prothom Alo publishes arranged photos to increase circulation

Newspapers are supposed to present the truth and nurture good practice, educating readers and developing their taste. Prothom Alo, one of the influential Bangla dailies in Bangladesh, also repeatedly pledges its readers to do the same thing with its numerous activities, highlighting slogans like “Ja kichhu bhalo, tar sange Prothom Alo” (Prothom Alo is with everything that is good), “Bhalor sathe alor pathe” (towards the path of light with good) and “Badle jao, badle dao” (Change yourself, change others).

Unfortunately, despite advertising its intent with all these impressive words, the Bengali broadsheet is accused of changing news, publishing arranged and fake photos and betraying the trust of its readers.

Young author, journalist, teacher and a former photojournalist and content creator of Prothom Alo, Sudeepto Salam, in his book “Photosangbadiker Journal: Prothom Alor Ondormohol”, has brought a tale of hypocrisy and the dark side of a newspaper that claims itself to be an agent of light.

Sudeepto shares an unbelievable fact, unmasking Prothom Alo’s greedy policy in the first chapter of his much talked-about memoir.

According to his description, it was on 6 May 2018 when Sudeepto was assigned to take photos of rejoicing students who had obtained GPA-5 in the SSC examinations from Kamalapur School and College. He was doubtful as Prothom Alo never publishes photos of students from an institution like Kamalapur School and College. He became more astonished when he found that an advertising official was to accompany him instead of a reporter.

Sudeepto writes, “I organised the group in my own way for taking pictures, but a doubt was in my mind. I took quick photos as everyone was waiting under the sun. At the end, I asked one of the students, ‘Looking at you, I don't think you have passed SSC’. The student replied with a smile, ‘Uncle, we read in class ten. Sir asked us to pose.’”

Hearing the answer, Sudeepto was at a loss for words as he could not believe that a headmaster could request students to pose for an arranged photograph.

Then he shared the matter with the advertising official. But leaving him in utter surprise, the advertising representative said it was nothing serious.

“He dismissed the matter and said, ‘Brother, it doesn’t matter, let it go.’ Then he told me the original story. If this photo is printed tomorrow, the school authorities will take 6,000 copies of Prothom Alo and distribute those for free putting stickers. This is a contract between the school authorities and Prothom Alo!”

Once he reached the office, Sudeepto informed the matter to Zahidul Karim Salim, the then chief of the news photography section of Prothom Alo. Salim was also surprised and he assured that he would look into the matter.

Sudeepto recalls, “I was not relieved either. I’m a fool, but I acted smart that day. While uploading the image to the Prothom Alo server, I mentioned the incident of fraudulence in the caption.”

Sudeepto was sure that the photo would not be published as the matter was informed to the news photography chief and written in the caption which could be seen by more senior policymakers but his idea about Prothom Alo and reality was far different.

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He returned home only to discover that the photo was published in the next day’s Prothom Alo with a new caption: “... students, parents and teachers share the joy of success in well-known institutions as well as in lesser-known educational institutions. Such an institution Kamalapur School and College also had a happy atmosphere.”

“Printed images are like bullets. All or most of the people in the picture are supposed to be alive. Picture witness, otherwise it would have been hard to believe me,” he writes.