Highlights
- Journalist-writer Kazi Jesin says she will not interview Hasina, even for large sums of money.
- She argues interviews with a killer spread hate and falsehood, and give no public benefit.
- Jesin cites international examples and three ethical reasons for refusing the interview.
Kazi Jesin Says No to Interviewing a Killer
Journalist and writer Kazi Jesin posted on her verified Facebook page on Wednesday (October 29) that she would refuse to interview “Hasina” even if offered tens of millions of taka. She said hate speech must not be given a platform.
“খুনির সাক্ষাৎকার নেয়া যাবে না তা না। সাংবাদিকতার এথিক্স এটা বলে না যে, আপনি খুনির সাক্ষাৎকার নিতে পারবেন না। একজন খুনির সাক্ষাৎকার নেয়ার মধ্য দিয়ে যদি আমি সমাজ, রাষ্ট্র ব্যবস্থার ত্রুটি তুলে ধরতে পারি, যদি সেই সাক্ষাৎকার জনস্বার্থে অত্যাবশ্যক হয় (উদাহরণ: অপরাধের পেছনের নেটওয়ার্ক বুঝাতে বা ভবিষ্যৎ অপরাধ রোধে ভূমিকা রাখে) তাহলে তা নেয়া যায়।”
Translation: “It is not that a killer can never be interviewed. Journalism ethics do not categorically ban interviewing a killer. If by interviewing a killer I can reveal system failures of society or the state — and if that interview is necessary for public interest (for example, to understand criminal networks or prevent future crimes) — then it can be done.”
Read More: “BNP Will Bring Smiles to Frustrated Youth,” Says Emran Saleh Prince
Three Reasons She Refuses the Interview
In the post, Jesin gave three reasons why she would not interview Hasina:
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She argued Hasina is not a source of useful truth or public-interest revelations. Jesin said interviewing her would not serve any public good and is therefore unethical.
“প্রথমত… তার সাক্ষাৎকার নিয়ে কোন বৃহৎ জনকল্যাণ সাধিত হবে না…”
Translation: “First… her interview will not achieve any large public benefit…”
“নিজের ব্যবসার জন্য এখন নিজের ওয়েবসাইট — মাত্র কয়েক মিনিটে Storola দিয়ে!”
Jesin warned that false statements before a trial could mislead followers and may encourage further violence from those already ordered to attack opponents. She said this could fuel chaos.
“হাসিনার বিচারের আগে হত্যা সংক্রান্ত আলাপে তার দেয়া মিথ্যা তথ্য… তার অনুসারীদের ভেতরে বিভ্রম সৃষ্টি করতে পারে…”
Translation: “Before Hasina’s trial, her false statements on murder discussions may create confusion among her followers…”
She refused to cause more pain to victims’ families and injured fighters by giving a killer public attention.
“শহীদ পরিবার ও আহত যোদ্ধাদের আহত করুক এমন কোনো কাজ আমি করতে পারি না।”
Translation: “I cannot do anything that would further wound martyr families and injured fighters.”
International Examples and Ethical Argument
Jesin cited international precedents. She noted that Norway’s Anders Breivik — who killed 77 people in 2011 — was largely denied direct media platforms because courts and journalism bodies said broadcasting his views would give a stage to hate. She also recalled British journalist George Ward Price, who was criticized for interviewing Hitler and thereby giving a killer a platform that helped explain or justify crimes.
She quoted political theorist Hannah Arendt on the Nuremberg trials to argue that airing an evil voice is only justifiable for understanding systems, not for sympathy or promotion.
On Journalism Ethics and Public Interest
Jesin emphasized that journalists collect information but do not have the right to harm the country while doing so. She said interviewing a killer must be judged by whether it serves public interest and helps prevent future harm — not by sensationalism or profit.
Source: Channel i
