Journalists are professionals who gather, assess, and present news and information to the public. This can include media workers, reporters, analysts, bloggers and social media producers engaged in journalistic activity.

Journalists have the right - and indeed the responsibility - to ask tough questions in pursuit of the truth and to seek necessary clarification. Likewise, individuals holding positions of responsibility have a duty to respond to legitimate questions with transparency and accountability. The recent remarks made by newly appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir have sparked widespread debate and drawn significant criticism on social media, highlighting the importance of open dialogue and responsible communication.

The appointment under the technocrat quota of a person who retains dual citizenship as State Minister for Foreign Affairs is unconstitutional. Accepting such a position without clearly explaining his position on the matter is also questionable. However, instead of providing direct answers to specific questions asked by journalists in the course of their professional duties and in the public interest, the State Minister responded by asking counter-questions. His appointment under the technocrat quota, while retaining dual citizenship, is in conflict with the Constitution. He has called into question his appointment by taking on the role of State Minister without providing a clear explanation of his stance on this issue. However, the State Minister did not directly respond to questions raised by journalists in the public interest with the intention of providing accurate facts and information about the subject.

Instead, he responded with counter-questions such as 'Who is reporting the news?' and 'Why are you so bothered about it?' reflecting the 'shoot the messenger' practice of the ousted authoritarian regime. Who reported the news or who raised the question is not the issue here. The fundamental question is whether he retained his foreign citizenship when he assumed office as State Minister. He has an obligation to directly address such an obvious constitutional question relating to the public interest." The State Minister's "resentful and aggressive" response to requests for relevant information has been condemned and expressed concern by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and it says this behaviour is the "shoot the messenger" practice of the ousted authoritarian regime.

At the same time, the organisation has called for an end to such self-defeating attempts to undermine media freedom, independent journalism, freedom of expression, and the people's right to access information. In the interest of transparency and accountability, TIB has also called on the State Minister for Foreign Affairs to clearly state his position on dual citizenship, which lies at the heart of the ongoing controversy surrounding his appointment.

According to multiple media reports, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs holds foreign citizenship and has even been involved in active politics in the country concerned. Referring to this matter, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, "The appointment of a dual citizen as State Minister for Foreign Affairs under the technocrat quota is unconstitutional. According to Article 56(2) of the Constitution, when a person who is not a Member of Parliament is appointed as a Minister or State Minister, that person must be eligible for election as a Member of Parliament. On the other hand, under Article 66(2)(c), a person who acquires citizenship of a foreign state or acknowledges allegiance to such a state is disqualified from being elected as a Member of Parliament. Simultaneously, the requirement regarding renunciation of foreign citizenship in cases of dual citizenship is explicitly addressed by Article 66(2A).

Dr. Zaman said, "Following the political change brought about by the bloody July mass uprising, with expectations for accountable governance, the right to ask questions on such matters and the people's right to know have become more important than ever. Repeated commitments have also been expressed from the highest levels of government and elsewhere to ensure transparency, accountability, and freedom of expression. When someone in a responsible state position is questioned about a matter of public interest, it is expected that he will give a straightforward, factual answer. By answering the relevant constitutional and legal questions and disclosing the necessary evidence, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs could instead have set an example of transparency and accountability." Rather than doing so, his resentful and aggressive counter-questions directed at media outlets reporting on his dual citizenship and journalists raising questions about the matter are unbecoming of the dignity and responsibility of a State Minister; they are ethically unacceptable and deeply concerning. The matter is also embarrassing for the government. Such a response is contrary to free media, freedom of expression, and independent journalism. An aggressive response from a person holding a responsible state position to legitimate questions concerning the public interest not only places unreasonable and unwarranted pressure on the journalists concerned, but also poses a threat to independent journalism.

The TIB Executive Director said, "The matter concerns a highly important state position such as that of State Minister for Foreign Affairs. Thus, we cannot overlook its global impact and the possibility of avoidable reputational embarrassment for Bangladesh. In this situation, it is imperative that the government immediately disclose accurate and verifiable information regarding the State Minister for Foreign Affairs' actual citizenship status and take an appropriate decision on the constitutional validity of his appointment. Attacking the media for posing legitimate constitutional and public-interest inquiries, rather than addressing them, undermines the right to information and media freedom. TIB also called on the government to publicly disclose the positions and official documentary evidence concerning the citizenship status of any other Minister, State Minister or person holding an equivalent position if questions arise regarding their dual citizenship, in the interest of transparency and constitutional accountability.

Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM) strongly condemned an unprofessional and confrontational remark made by Humaiun Kobir in response to a legitimate question from journalists concerning his dual citizenship. A recent Bangladeshi news report raised a consequential question about Junior Foreign Minister Humaiun Kobir, also an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman: whether he had formally relinquished his British citizenship before entering the cabinet, as required by the Constitution.

The question is particularly pertinent given Kobir's longstanding involvement in British public life. He served as a Labour councillor for Bensham Manor and as Mayor of Croydon from 2019 to 2020. When journalists raised the issue at a press briefing, Kobir, on camera, responded: "Which newspaper, exactly? Who is so bothered by this that they won't let (me) do the work, huh? So why are they so bothered? Are they getting worked up over 2008 again? Are they getting that Moinuddin-Fakhruddin-era itch again? Or what?"

"The remark is deeply inappropriate and falls well below the standard of professionalism expected from a member of the cabinet. Instead of answering a straightforward question concerning his constitutional eligibility for public office, the minister chose to ridicule the press, insinuate political motives and invoke a period associated with an undemocratic political environment," BJIM said. More troublingly, it said, the minister offered no substantive response to the central question. His sarcastic and confrontational language, coupled with the insinuation that journalists raising legitimate questions are somehow politically motivated, risks intimidating the press and discouraging journalists from scrutinising those in power.

"Such conduct by a cabinet member and adviser to the PM is not merely discourteous. It undermines the fundamental role of a free press and risks creating a chilling effect that can foster self-censorship and discourage journalists from asking legitimate questions of government officials, a trait that was frequently observed during the regime of the past Awami League-led government," BJIM said. BJIM therefore called on Minister Kobir to withdraw his remarks and, more importantly, to provide a clear and substantive response to the legitimate questions raised about his citizenship status and his constitutional eligibility to serve in the cabinet.

BJIM said Government officials must recognise that journalists are not adversaries to be taunted or intimidated; they are performing a public-interest function by asking questions on behalf of citizens. "The government must ensure that the press can operate honestly, independently and without fear, serving as a vital channel of communication between citizens and their elected representatives and holding those in public office accountable," BJIM said.