Prothom Alo#Sister Concerns

{{Infobox newspaper

| name = Prothom Alo

| image = Prothom Alo, Year 1, Issue 1.jpg

| image_size = 280px

| caption = First issue of Prothom Alo, 4 November 1998

| type = Daily newspaper

| format = Broadsheet

| foundation = {{start date|df=yes|1998|11|04}}

| owners = Transcom Group

| publisher = Matiur Rahman

| chiefeditor = Matiur Rahman

| assoceditor =

| staff =

| language = Bangla and English

| publishing_country = Bangladesh

| circulation = 525,001 (January 2013)

| headquarters = Progoti Insurance Bhobon, 20-21, Kawran Bazar, Dhaka - 1215, Bangladesh

| oclc =

| ISSN =

| website = *{{URL|www.prothomalo.com}}

{{URL|en.prothomalo.com/}}

| logo = Prothom Alo logo.svg

| founder =

| depeditor =

| campuseditor =

| sportseditor =

| sister newspapers =

| maneditor =

| photoeditor =

| circulation_ref =

| managingeditordesign =

| newseditor =

}}

File:Prothom Alo building 2023.jpg

Prothom Alo ({{langx|bn|প্রথম আলো}}) is a Bengali-language daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka. It is one of the largest circulated newspaper in Bangladesh.{{Cite news |url=http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/countries/bangladesh/top-10-newspapers-of-bangladesh-with-pictures/33046 |title=Top 10 Newspapers of Bangladesh (With Pictures) |website=yourarticlelibrary.com |access-date=2020-03-30 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814194725/https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/countries/bangladesh/top-10-newspapers-of-bangladesh-with-pictures/33046 |url-status=live}} According to the National Media Survey of 2018, conducted by Kantar MRB Bangladesh, Prothom Alo has a daily readership of more than 6.6 million online. According to Alexa Internet, an American web traffic analysis company, the online portal of Prothom Alo is the most visited Bengali website in the world.{{Cite web |url=https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/BD |title=Top Sites in Bangladesh |website=Alexa |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=12 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712100928/https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/BD |url-status=dead}}

History

Prothom Alo was founded on 4 November 1998. The circulation of Prothom Alo grew from an initial circulation of 42,000 to a circulation of a half million copies.{{cite web |url=http://www.prothom-alo.com/circulation |title=Current Circulation |work=Prothom Alo |access-date=2014-01-21 |archive-date=16 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116151815/http://www.prothom-alo.com/circulation |url-status=dead}} The newspaper distinguished itself by its investigations of acid attacks and violence against women and pushing for tougher laws against the sale of acid.{{cite news |date=2005-08-01 |title=Prothom Alo Editor Gets Magsaysay Award |url=http://www.voanews.com/bangla/archive/2005-08/2005-08-01-voa2.cfm |work=Voice of America |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713052712/http://www.voanews.com/bangla/archive/2005-08/2005-08-01-voa2.cfm |archive-date=2009-07-13}} From press facilities located in Dhaka, Chittagong and Bogra, around 5,00,000 copies (as of March '2014) are circulated each day. According to National Media Survey 2018, everyday 6.6 million people read the print edition of Prothom Alo. The claimed readership of the online and print edition of this newspaper is 7.6 million.[National Media Survey 2018, SIRIUS Marketing and Social Research Ltd. (Associate of IMRB International)]

A senior reporter of Prothom Alo, Rozina Islam, was detained for 5 hours in Bangladesh Secretariat after she went there to cover the health ministry on 17 May 2021. A case was filed against her by an official of Health Service Division under the Official Secrets Act.{{Cite news |date=2021-05-18 |title=Rozina Islam faces charge under official secrets law |url=http://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/rozina-islam-faces-charge-under-official-secrets-law-247054 |access-date=2021-05-18 |work=The Business Standard |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518065805/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/rozina-islam-faces-charge-under-official-secrets-law-247054 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=2021-05-18 |title=I am a victim of unjust acts: Rozina Islam |url=http://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/i-am-victim-unjust-acts-rozina-islam-247207 |access-date=2021-05-18 |work=The Business Standard |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518064010/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/i-am-victim-unjust-acts-rozina-islam-247207 |url-status=live}} After filing of the case she was taken to Shahbagh Police Station.{{Cite news |date=2021-05-17 |title=Prothom Alo journalist Rozina taken to police station after 5 hours' confinement at Secretariat |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/prothom-alo-journalist-rozina-taken-police-station-after-5-hours-detention-secretariat-2093917 |access-date=2021-05-18 |newspaper=The Daily Star |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518073958/https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/prothom-alo-journalist-rozina-taken-police-station-after-5-hours-detention-secretariat-2093917 |url-status=live}} She was quizzed for 5 days in police remand.{{Cite news |date=2021-05-23 |title=Will continue journalism, says a determined Rozina |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/will-continue-journalism-says-determined-rozina-2097369 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241012072323/https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/will-continue-journalism-says-determined-rozina-2097369 |archive-date=12 October 2024 |access-date=2025-05-03 |work=The Daily Star (Bangladesh) |language=en |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Rozina Islam gets prestigious award for journalism |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/316238/rozina-islam-gets-prestigious-award-for-journalism |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en}} She was released upon bail from Kashimpur prison on 23 May 2021.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/bail-order-reaches-prison-authorities-rozina-leave-jail-soon-2097317 |title=Rozina freed on bail after 7 days |date=23 May 2021 |work=The Daily Star |access-date=25 September 2021 |archive-date=23 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523154827/https://www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh/news/bail-order-reaches-prison-authorities-rozina-leave-jail-soon-2097317 |url-status=live}}

Digital platforms

The online portal of Prothom Alo{{Cite news |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/ |title=Prothom Alo | Latest online Bangla world news bd | Sports photo video live |work=Prothom Alo |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=20 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120213730/https://www.prothomalo.com/ |url-status=live}} is the number 1 Bangladeshi website in the world.{{Citation needed|date= July 2017}} This portal is accessed by 1.6 million visitors from 200 countries and territories across the globe with 60 million pageviews per month. The e-paper site of Prothom Alo is also the Number 1 e-paper Web site of Bangladesh.{{Cite news |url=https://epaper.prothomalo.com/loginuser.php |title=Prothom Alo ePaper | Bangla Newspaper, World news | eProthomalo |work=Prothom Alo |access-date=21 November 2019 |archive-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122215932/https://epaper.prothomalo.com/loginuser.php |url-status=live}} {{Citation needed|date= July 2017}}

Editors

{{As of|1998|||df=European|since=y|pre=its founding in|post=, }} Matiur Rahman is the chief editor of the newspaper.{{cite web |url=http://www.adgully.com/bangladesh-through-matiur-rahman-of-prothom-alo-s-eyes-45063.html |title=Bangladesh through Matiur Rahman of Prothom Alo's eyes |date=2010-11-22 |publisher=Adgully.com |access-date=2013-04-22 |archive-date=19 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085027/http://www.adgully.com/bangladesh-through-matiur-rahman-of-prothom-alo-s-eyes-45063.html |url-status=live}} He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2005 in the category of Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.{{cite web |url=http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Lecture/LectureRahmanMat.htm |title=When Media Takes a Stand for Social Change: The Experience of Prothom Alo in Bangladesh |last=Rahman |first=Matiur |date=2005-09-02 |website=Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation |access-date=26 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204060331/http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Lecture/LectureRahmanMat.htm |archive-date=4 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}

Mathematics Olympiad

Prothom Alo helped to popularise Mathematics in Bangladesh. It organized Mathematics Olympiad for the first time in Bangladesh in 2003. It is one of the main sponsors and the main organizer of Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad.{{cite web |title=Bangladesh IMO team 2007 |publisher=Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad Committee |url=http://www.matholympiad.org.bd/ |access-date=2007-09-28 |archive-date=23 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223005934/http://www.matholympiad.org.bd/blog/ |url-status=live}}

File:Matiur Rahman 2009.jpg, the editor of Prothom Alo]]

Recognition

Prothom Alo has been carrying on a campaign against acid violence, drugs, HIV/AIDS, and religious terrorism. For his contribution to this fight, the Philippines-based Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation has described editor Matiur Rahman as 'the guiding force in the positive changes in society and culture' and in 2005 honored him with a Magsaysay Award, which is considered to be the 'Nobel Prize of Asia'. Rahman donated the prize money in equal proportion to the three funds that the Prothom Alo Trust has set up to help and support acid-burnt women, anti-drug campaigns, and persecuted journalists. They won the 'Best in South Asia' award at the INMA Global Media Awards 2025 by the International News Media Association (INMA), the largest global platform of media organizations.{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Azwaj |date=2025-05-23 |title=Prothom Alo wins Best in South Asia award |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/x6p6vwfwxk |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Prothomalo |language=en}}

Sister concerns

Prothom Alo, which belongs to Mediastar Ltd., has the following sister concerns:

ABC Radio FM 89.2: Commercial operation of ABC Radio FM 89.2 commenced from 7 January 2009. It is one of the most popular FM radio channels of Dhaka city. Besides Dhaka, it is also being aired from Chittagong and Cox's Bazar stations.
Prothoma Prokashon : Prothoma Prokashon is a publication house that started its journey in 2008. This publication house has been highly praised by different quarters for its quality publication works. Prothoma Prokashon received awards from Bangla Academy in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Prothoma Boier Dunia: Prothoma Boier Dunia or Prothoma World of Books is a bookselling outlet with five stores in Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi.
Protichinta: Protichinta is a quarterly journal on social, economic, and political issues.
Kishor Alo : Kishor Alo, a monthly magazine for youngsters, started its journey in October 2013. Stories, novels, poems, quizzes, magic, adventures, traveling, science, jokes, and many other interesting features are published in this colorful monthly magazine. Kishor Alo also has a large number of volunteers all over Bangladesh.
Biggan Chinta : Biggan Chinta a monthly magazine for science lovers, started its journey from October 2016. It contains science writings (mainly about astrophysics and environmental science), interviews with scientists, science fiction and many others.
Chakri.com (former Prothom Alo Jobs): Chakri.com offers regular recruitment circulars and solutions, corporate training services, and career counseling.

File:Concert of Joler Gan Band, Bangabndhu International Conference Centre (BICC).jpg

Criticism

= Cartoon controversy =

Prothom Alo is often criticized for its liberal attitude. A cartoon by Arifur Rahman was published in Alpin about a joke partly related to religion, causing protests against the Newspaper. A subsequent order was given from the government to ban the supplement.{{cite news |date=2007-09-25 |title=Prothom Alo ordered to suspend 'Alpin' publication |url=http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=57840 |newspaper=The Independent |location=Dhaka |access-date=2007-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713232212/http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=57840 |archive-date=13 July 2009 |url-status=dead}} The editor of the Prothom Alo acknowledged the gaffe. In a statement released by Prothom Alo, the editor of Alpin, Matiur Rahman, apologized, expressing regret for publishing the cartoon. The cartoonist was jailed for six months and two days, he was arrested 18 September 2007{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7003514.stm |title=Cartoonist jailed in Bangladesh |date=2007-09-19 |access-date=2019-07-12 |language=en-GB |archive-date=6 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406060610/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7003514.stm |url-status=live}} and released 20 March 2008.{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7307648.stm |title=Cartoonist released in Bangladesh |date=2008-03-20 |access-date=2019-07-12 |language=en-GB |archive-date=30 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230182334/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7307648.stm |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7006528.stm |title=Violence over Bangladesh cartoon |date=2007-09-21 |newspaper=BBC |access-date=2016-04-02 |archive-date=22 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722211831/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7006528.stm |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://cpj.org/2008/03/cartoonist-freed.php |title=Cartoonist freed |author=Committee to Protect Journalists |location=New York |website=cpj.org |date=21 March 2008 |language=en |access-date=2019-07-12 |archive-date=8 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708142350/https://cpj.org/2008/03/cartoonist-freed.php |url-status=live}}

= 2012 HC injunction on ''deyal'' controversy =

In 2012, a High Court bench issued an injunction on the publication of Humayun Ahmed's political fiction Deyal at daily Prothom Alo{{'}}s weekly Shahitto Samwiki on a Friday. The bench of Justice also asked the government and the writer to explain why they should not be directed to correct a part of the fiction for presenting a 'distorted' version of the assassination of the country's founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his minor son Sheikh Russel. The controversial part of the fiction was published by Bangla daily Prothom Alo in its 11 May issue. The chapters portrayed Khandker Moshtaque in a manner that he did not know about the killings beforehand.{{cite news |date=2012-05-16 |title=HC injunction on publication of Humayun's novel Deyal |url=http://old-archives.newagebd.net/detail.php?date=2012-05-16&nid=10467 |newspaper=New Age |access-date=25 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125175512/http://old-archives.newagebd.net/detail.php?date=2012-05-16&nid=10467 |archive-date=25 November 2015 |url-status=dead}}

= Tragedy at the festival =

On November 1, 2019, the anniversary celebration of Kishor Alo's Dhaka region was taking place on the campus of Dhaka Residential Model College in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. During the event, Naimul Abrar, a ninth-grade student of the same school, was electrocuted and died.{{Cite web |title=Dhaka Residential Model College student electrocuted at Kishor Alo function |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/dhaka-residential-model-college-student-electrocuted-at-kishor-alo-function |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=bdnews24.com |language=en}} After investigating the incident, the police submitted a charge sheet to the court, stating that the electrocution occurred due to the negligence of the Kishor Alo authorities.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-18 |title=Arrest warrant against Prothom Alo editor, 9 others |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/Arrest-warrant-against-Prothom-Alo-editor-9 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Prothom Alo |language=en |archive-date=6 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406192256/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/Arrest-warrant-against-Prothom-Alo-editor-9 |url-status=live }} Following this, on January 16, 2020, the court issued arrest warrants against ten individuals, including Matiur Rahman, the editor of Prothom Alo, and Anisul Hoque, the editor of Kishor Alo.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-18 |title=Arrest warrant against Prothom Alo editor raises concern |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/arrest-warrant-against-prothom-alo-editor-raises-concern-37377 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}

= Criticism of Sheikh Hasina =

On March 26, 2023, Prothom Alo's Facebook page published a quote accompanied by an inconsistent image.{{Cite news |date=2023-04-03 |title=Press Club decries Prothom Alo report, use of DSA |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/press-club-decries-prothom-alo-report-use-dsa-3287366 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111131123/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/press-club-decries-prothom-alo-report-use-dsa-3287366 |archive-date=11 November 2024 |access-date=2025-05-03 |work=The Daily Star (Bangladesh) |language=en |url-status=live }} Criticizing this matter, the then-Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, labeled Prothom Alo as an enemy of the country, the nation, and democracy.{{Cite news |date=2023-04-10 |title=Prothom Alo is the enemy of AL, democracy, country's people: PM |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/prothom-alo-the-enemy-al-democracy-countrys-people-pm-3293596 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220155435/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/prothom-alo-the-enemy-al-democracy-countrys-people-pm-3293596 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |access-date=2025-05-03 |work=The Daily Star (Bangladesh) |language=en |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=PM Hasina: Prothom Alo enemy of Awami League, democracy |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/308712/pm-hasina-prothom-alo-enemy-of-awami-league |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en |archive-date=21 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321214708/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/308712/pm-hasina-prothom-alo-enemy-of-awami-league |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Bangladesh PM calls newspaper 'enemy of the people' after journalists arrested |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/bangladesh-prothom-alo-sheikh-hasina-b2317156.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612135452/https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/bangladesh-prothom-alo-sheikh-hasina-b2317156.html |archive-date=12 June 2024 |access-date=2025-05-03 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB |url-status=live }}

= Controversial information on militancy and attack on the office =

Prothom Alo was accused of labeling Islamists as militants.{{Cite youtube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=uu6x3fU_6RY |script-title=bn:প্রথম আলোর বিরুদ্ধে ভয়ংকর অভিযোগ, কিন্তু কেন? {{!}} Prothom Alo {{!}} kaler Kantho |date=4 December 2024 |type=Video |language=bn}}{{Cite news |date=2016-07-20 |title= |script-title=bn:আপনার সন্তান জঙ্গি হচ্ছে না তো? |trans-title=Your child isn't becoming a terrorist, is he? |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/lifestyle/%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%BE |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=Prothom Alo |language=bn}} Following the publication of such controversial news, on November 24, 2024, some Islamic organizations held a protest and demonstration under the banner of "People of Bangladesh" in front of the headquarters of the daily Prothom Alo at Karwan Bazar.{{Cite news |title=Brawl outside Prothom Alo office, sound grenades used |url=https://www.jagonews24.com/en/national/news/78624 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125012113/https://www.jagonews24.com/en/national/news/78624 |archive-date=25 November 2024 |access-date=2025-05-03 |work=jagonews24.com |pages=jagonews24.com |language=en-US |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Police disperse protesters in front of Prothom Alo office |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/366160/police-disperse-protesters-in-front-of-prothom-alo |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en}} That evening, miscreants attempted to attack Prothom Alo's office in Chattogram.{{Cite news |date=2024-11-25 |title=Chaos in front of Prothom Alo; cops drive away demonstrators |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/chaos-front-prothom-alo-cops-drive-away-demonstrators-3761006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124221149/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/chaos-front-prothom-alo-cops-drive-away-demonstrators-3761006 |archive-date=24 November 2024 |access-date=2025-05-03 |work=The Daily Star (Bangladesh) |language=en |url-status=live }}

The next day, in Rajshahi, individuals creating disorder under the banner of "Alem Ulama and Tawhidi Janata, Rajshahi" carried out a procession, removed the signboard of the office, and set it on fire. In Bogura, bricks and stones were thrown at Prothom Alo's office, and its signboard was vandalized.{{Cite news |date=2024-11-27 |title= |script-title=bn:প্রথম আলো-ডেইলি স্টারের সামনে বিক্ষোভের কারণ কী? যা জানা যাচ্ছে |trans-title=What is the reason for the protest in front of Prothom Alo-Daily Star? What is known |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/c0rgln7992do |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=BBC News |language=bn |archive-date=24 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324153124/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/c0rgln7992do |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2024-11-26 |title=Prothom Alo's Rajshahi office vandalised |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/pldo83ldm4 |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=Prothom Alo |language=en}} Across different regions, Prothom Alo employees received threats and were subjected to verbal abuse.{{Cite web |title=Prothom Alo Rajshahi office vandalized, signboard set on fire |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/366241/prothom-alo-rajshahi-office-vandalized-signboard |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Dhaka Tribune |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-11-26 |title=Prothom Alo Rajshahi, Bogura offices attacked |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/prothom-alo-rajshahi-bogura-offices-attacked-3761801 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126041754/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/prothom-alo-rajshahi-bogura-offices-attacked-3761801 |archive-date=26 November 2024 |access-date=2025-05-03 |work=The Daily Star (Bangladesh) |language=en |url-status=live }}

When asked about the matter, the executive editor of the newspaper dismissed all allegations as baseless and false. In his view, making sweeping criticisms without fact-based analysis was an attack on independent journalism and paved the way for future assaults. According to the responsible individuals at Prothom Alo, the protests appeared to be planned and deliberate.{{Cite web |last=Chakraborty |first=Debdutta |date=2024-11-27 |title=Won't be bogged down, says Prothom Alo editor as Bangladesh's leading dailies come under attack |url=https://theprint.in/world/wont-be-bogged-down-says-prothom-alo-editor-as-bangladeshs-leading-dailies-come-under-attack/2377128/ |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Why Bangladesh protesters are targeting popular newspaper, Prothom Alo |url=https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/bangladesh-protesters-target-popular-newspaper-prothom-alo-13839042.html |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us |archive-date=25 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125033158/https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/bangladesh-protesters-target-popular-newspaper-prothom-alo-13839042.html |url-status=live }}

The Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) described the siege, attacks, and vandalism at Prothom Alo's office as a severe attack on press freedom.{{Cite news |date=2024-11-25 |title= |script-title=bn:পত্রিকা অফিসে ভাংচুর বা বন্ধের জন্য চাপ সহ্য করবে না অন্তর্বর্তীকালীন সরকার: নাহিদ |trans-title=Interim government will not tolerate pressure to vandalize or close newspaper offices: Nahid |url=https://www.voabangla.com/a/7876154.html |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=Voice of America |language=bn}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-25 |title=Vandalism at newspaper offices, pressure to close newspapers down won't be tolerated: Nahid |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/vandalism-newspaper-offices-pressure-close-newspapers-down-wont-be-tolerated-nahid |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}} The New York-based organization Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged a swift investigation into the threats of violence against Prothom Alo employees.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Rein in mob justice with iron hand: Editors' Council tells govt |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/xue6hu5f3r |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Prothom Alo |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-11-27 |title=Take strict action against mob justice |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/take-strict-action-against-mob-justice-3762141 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127142100/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/take-strict-action-against-mob-justice-3762141 |archive-date=27 November 2024 |access-date=2025-05-03 |work=The Daily Star (Bangladesh) |language=en |url-status=live }} The organization of Bangladeshi journalists working in international media, Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIAM), expressed deep concern over such protests.{{Cite news |date=2024-11-27 |title=CPJ for probe into threats against media houses |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/rights/news/cpj-probe-threats-against-media-houses-3762241 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222213043/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/rights/news/cpj-probe-threats-against-media-houses-3762241 |archive-date=22 February 2025 |access-date=2025-05-03 |work=The Daily Star (Bangladesh) |language=en |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=CPJ for probe to protests outside The Daily Star, Prothom Alo offices, vandalism at Prothom Alo Rajshahi office |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/881bf3mcav |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Prothom Alo |language=en}}

= Alleged ties with the Awami League =

Prothom Alo's parent company, Transcom Group's CEO, Simeen Rahman, was accused of attempting to bribe Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with 1 billion BDT to suppress multiple cases of murder, stock market fraud, and deception.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-03 |title='Simeen bribed Hasina with Tk100cr to silence legal charges' {{!}} {{!}} Bangladesh Pratidin |url=https://en.bd-pratidin.com/special/2025/02/03/29287 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Bangladesh Pratidin |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-03 |title='Simeen Rahman bribed Hasina with Tk100cr to hush up cases' |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/789764 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Daily Sun (Bangladesh) |language=en |archive-date=6 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506151951/https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/789764 |url-status=live }} She was also alleged to have held three meetings with Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban to have these cases dismissed.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-07 |title=Transcom disputes bribery allegations, but questions remain {{!}} {{!}} Bangladesh Pratidin |url=https://en.bd-pratidin.com/special/2025/02/07/29635 |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Bangladesh Pratidin |language=bn}}

=Fraud assistance allegation =

In December 2024, Simin Rahman of Transcom Group was accused by his younger sister of embezzling her deceased father's shares through non-judicial stamp fraud.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-06 |title=ট্রান্সকমের দলিল জালিয়াতি |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/national/news/bd/1435990.details |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=banglanews24.com |language=bn}} {{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-12-06 |title=Forgery in Transcom documents |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/780815 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Daily Sun |language=en}} {{Cite web |title=RJSC papers doctored with fake stamps |url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/rjsc-papers-doctored-with-fake-stamps |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}} On 18 May 2025, investigative reporter Elias Hossain's published a report on YouTube, stating that Simin Rahman was unethically assisted by Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman and Daily Star's Mahfuz Anam in this matter along with doing false news reports.{{Cite web |last=জনকণ্ঠ |first=দৈনিক |title=তিন মাসের অনুসন্ধান শেষ করেছে টিম ফিফটিন মিনিটস: ইলিয়াস হোসেন |url=https://www.dailyjanakantha.com/national/news/799054 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=দৈনিক জনকণ্ঠ {{!}}{{!}} Daily Janakantha |language=en}} {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&si=qwYa7_ExnrBkF0Mo&v=N4LuENYYAzc&feature=youtu.be |title=এ যেন কেয়ামতের আলামত! #elias_hossain |date=2025-05-18 |last=Elias Hossain |access-date=2025-05-21 |via=YouTube}}