MD Newaz Ahmed Parash || The events of last Thursday will go down as a dark chapter in the history of Bangladeshi media. The country's two leading dailies—Prothom Alo and Daily Star, known as symbols of free expression and press freedom—have come under targeted and organized terrorist attacks. This attack is not just an attack on the two newspapers; it is a direct blow to the democratic practices of the state, freedom of expression, and civil rights.This terrorist attack has not only damaged the vital infrastructure and assets of Prothom Alo and Daily Star, but also threatened the lives of journalists and staff. If a journalist has to work with the risk of death due to the professional duties of collecting, editing, and publishing news, it is undoubtedly a terrible signal for a state.If the offices that are responsible for keeping the conscience of the nation awake, where the relentless pursuit of truth is practiced every day, become the target of attacks, then the question can only arise: Are we gradually losing tolerance? Are we no longer able to tolerate dissent? This attack was planned, organized, and purposeful. This is not an expression of sudden anger; rather, it is a terrible attempt to intimidate and silence the independent media.The incident of insulting the President of the Editors' Council and Editor of the New Age newspaper, Nurul Kabir, during this attack makes the horror of the situation even clearer. By publicly insulting and humiliating a senior journalist and editor, the attackers wanted to send a message—the media and journalists are no longer safe. This is not a personal insult; it is a tactic to insult and intimidate the entire journalistic community.The most worrying thing about this incident is the lack of an effective role of the government in curbing mob violence. Could such an attack have taken such a horrific form if there had been the presence and swift intervention of law enforcement? The questions are simple, but the answers are uncomfortable. If the state does not take a firm stand in time, mob culture will be further encouraged. Today, the newspaper office, tomorrow, another institution or individual may be the target of this violence.The main responsibility of the government at this moment is to identify the instigators, planners and direct attackers of the terrorist attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and the Daily Star through a proper, impartial and credible investigation. Not only to identify, but also to quickly arrest and bring them under the law and ensure exemplary punishment. There will be no delay, political calculation or compromise here. Because if this attack is not prosecuted, the consequences will be even more terrible—self-control, fear and silence of the media.The media is the fourth pillar of a state. If this pillar is weak, democracy cannot be sustainable. The attack on Prothom Alo and the Daily Star is actually an attempt to block the people's right to know. Standing with these two newspapers today does not mean standing for any specific editorial policy; rather, standing means taking a stand for freedom of expression, for democracy, for the healthy future of the state.Bangladesh is a country that was born through the struggle to establish freedom of speech and rights. Terrorist attacks on newspapers are unacceptable in that country. Identify the attackers quickly. Do not hide the instigators and planners. Protect the freedom of the media—this is not the demand of any group, it is the constitutional responsibility of the state. If we remain silent today, that silence will become our biggest crime tomorrow.Author: Columnist and Journalist