Mir Abdul Alim

Once upon a time, journalism was a noble weapon for social change. The pen was the mightiest tool of protest. To stand for truth was synonymous with journalism—fearless, investigative, and responsible. But today, that reality has morphed so drastically that it feels like we’re watching a tragic stage play. Ink has faded into oblivion, replaced by YouTube subscribers, TikTok followers, and dramatic live videos.

Modern journalism often resembles a glossy mango juice wrapped in plastic—flashy on the outside, but the stench reveals the fake inside. No one even bothers to define who a journalist truly is anymore. Whoever holds a camera or hangs a badge around their neck becomes “media”! Say the magic words “I’m from the media,” and suddenly the police step back, traffic officers salute, and villagers respectfully call you “Sir.”

These days, someone might sell shoes in the morning, crash a wedding party in the evening yelling “We’re live!”, and then post a “District Correspondent” news report on Facebook at night. A man who worked at a tea stall yesterday now flashes a shiny press card. Who issued it? How did he get it? No one dares to ask. On the stage of journalism, many are now acting in roles scripted by extortion, blackmail, political favoritism, and cultural decay.

From Teknaf to Tetulia, Rajshahi to Rangamati—everywhere you turn, you’ll find makeshift "media offices." Next to beauty parlors and mobile servicing shops hang banners like “Office of the Crime Reporter: District Representative – Mr. Nizam.” Who hired him? What paper does he work for? No answers. No one cares. All you need is a card, a camera, and some loud, dramatic lines.

And what’s the source of all these press cards? A new breed of so-called “media owners” who see journalism as a business, not an honor. They sell press cards like holiday sales: “Buy a package, get a position!” The more money you pay, the bigger your title—“Chief Investigative Reporter,” “Special Correspondent,” “Chief Editor,” even “President of News.” Spelling mistakes? Doesn’t matter. Nobody checks grammar when flashing a badge.

As this card race intensifies, real journalists are left embarrassed. The ones who dedicate their lives to fact-checking, source verification, and sleepless nights crafting stories are now being pushed aside by “smartphone heroes.” These imposters threaten officials, record them on video, post it online, and extract money. I recall a disturbing incident where an Upazila Executive Officer took action against such extortionists, only to find himself smeared by fabricated news stories. The question remains—who will stop them?

This is not just the fault of a few imposters. Behind this crisis lies political shelter, abuse of local power, administrative apathy, and above all, the silence of the readers. A journalist’s true strength should be integrity, accountability to facts, and a commitment to public welfare. But now journalism has turned into an open market, where rusty ethics and glossy lies are sold under the label “media.”

Even criminals now wear the journalist's mask. How does a murder accused become a “chief reporter”? How does an extortionist suddenly become an “investigative reporter” with access to police stations? Media owners often know the truth but remain silent—after all, they’re part of the profit chain.

And the real journalists? Those who strive to live with dignity have no job, no salary, no social recognition. Instead, they’re viewed with suspicion because of these fake “card-holders.” To the police, a journalist is now often seen as a scammer, a political puppet, or a loud-mouthed vlogger.

The press is meant to be society’s mirror, built by journalists. As the Fourth Estate of the nation, newspapers guide both government and opposition. But this community is now divided. In the flood of fake journalists, the honor of the real ones lies buried in dust. Why?

A true journalist is meant to serve the nation and society with dedication. But look at what’s happening. The core values of this noble profession are being overturned. Honest journalists are being discredited, and the press is entangled in vested interests. Who is doing this? Why is journalism retreating under the pressure of commercialization?

The infiltration of fake journalism has poisoned this once-ethical domain. It's no longer a profession—it’s a sick business. Illiterate and semi-educated individuals buy underground press cards and use them to intimidate and deceive innocent people. This is a serious threat to journalism and the media as a whole.

Those who practice yellow journalism or strut around with 500-taka press cards from dubious outlets may have found this article amusing. But this piece isn’t for them. This country is flooded with fake and yellow journalists. They are not journalists—they are parasites. They blackmail and exploit, making easy money.

We must be vigilant. Because of them, the public now has a distorted perception of journalism. To many, “journalist” equals swindler, con artist, or a dangerous man.

True journalists are none of these. Journalism is a sacred calling. It is not just a profession—it’s a public service. Sadly, some dishonest editors and reporters are selling this profession to the highest bidder, giving press IDs to criminals across the country. These people are not journalists, only imposters.

And that’s the root of the problem. In our country, anyone can claim to be a journalist. There are no clear standards, no required qualifications. Anyone can suddenly become a “reporter.” Shockingly, education is no longer a requirement.

Yes, there are still a few respected journalists and columnists in Bangladesh whose sharp, intellectual writing highlights social issues and awakens our conscience. But they are vastly outnumbered by the scavengers in disguise. This rise in fake journalism is nothing short of an epidemic. Creating fake journalists is a form of professional abuse.

We must bring journalism back to its old, ethical self. Those creating these imposters are deliberately trying to discredit journalism—a sinister conspiracy, perhaps. These conspirators must be identified and stopped. Or the damage will be irreversible.

Let’s be clear: journalism is a delicate profession. Just as we wouldn’t hand a scalpel to anyone and call them a surgeon, we must not hand out press cards, microphones, and cameras to just anyone and call them journalists.

At the grassroots, we constantly hear negative opinions about journalism. This article is dedicated to exposing the deceivers and yellow journalists who have tainted the dignity of this noble profession. Journalism must free itself from their grasp. Already, the doors of free journalism are closing due to lack of safety. This cannot continue.

In this grim reality, only one question remains:
Who will bring back true journalism?

The Ministry of Information? The Press Council?
Or the silent reader—who says nothing, but quietly yearns for truth and dignity?

The time has come to redefine journalism.
The time has come to declare:
Journalism is not in a card, but in character.
Not in a ‘media office,’ but in public trust.

Let us stand by the real journalists—those who still write for truth, those who still carry the courage to light a candle in darkness.

Otherwise, soon the headline may read:

“Robber arrested—with a press card in hand!”

The writer is a social researcher, Secretary General, Columnist Forum of Bangladesh