Victor Krylova: On September 12, Bangladesh Media Monitor published a report titled "Unwritten Chain of Indian 'Special Agency' in Bangladeshi Media." While investigating the financial sources of this invisible chain, several journalists, as well as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), came into the spotlight. The report claimed that through ADB’s reference, many journalists in Bangladesh gained wealth and power through government appointments, transfers, and various business contracts. Funding for these journalists came from the former ADB Country Director Manmohan Prakash, who was backed by another individual and the Indian High Commission. This report will highlight these issues based on information provided by an insider at ADB._x000D_ _x000D_ Many parties have played a role in institutionalizing corruption within Bangladesh's media and among journalists. According to the ADB insider, the role of certain donor agencies cannot be overlooked. He mentioned that after the events of 'One Eleven,' organizations like UK Aid, Switzerland's SDC, and the Indian High Commission created a network through training and technical assistance projects, benefiting journalists like Munni Saha, J I Mamun, and Naimul Islam Khan. The adverse effects of these efforts were witnessed during the Gonojagoron Moncho and the Shapla Chattar protests._x000D_ _x000D_ He further claimed that in 2017, when Indian national Manmohan Prakash assumed the role of Director at the ADB, the relationship between the World Bank and the Awami League government was frosty. Manmohan deliberately focused on utilizing the country’s media to fulfill the Indian agenda._x000D_ _x000D_ According to the insider, during the 2018 election, channels like 71 TV, ATN, and newspapers like Prothom Alo, Daily Star, and Vorer Kagoj, along with various online portals, were targeted. ADB’s Public Relations Officer, Gobinda Bor (a former journalist of Daily Star and Jonokontho), was given special powers for this task. He was supported by Fatema Yasmin, a government official at the time (later ERD Secretary and currently ADB Vice President)._x000D_ _x000D_ Additionally, individuals like Ashfaq, Farzana Rupa, Mithila, Shakil Ahmed, Probhush Amin, Shyamol Dutta, Farid Kabir, and Alfred Khokon formed a significant group, according to the report. Through ADB’s reference, these journalists gained wealth and power through government appointments, transfers, and government contract deals. Gobinda Bor later initiated a project to replace Prothom Alo with Kalbela and Santosh Sharma. The report claimed that a powerful network, including the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, ISKCON, Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, Santosh Sharma, Shyamol Dutta, Gobinda Bor, Subhas Singh, J I Mamun, and an unnamed court reporter from Prothom Alo, was supported by ADB and the Indian High Commission. It was also mentioned that the Indian High Commission and ADB institutionalized corruption within organizations like the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB), Diplomatic Reporters Association, and the Economic Reporters Association._x000D_ _x000D_ According to the report, Gobinda Bor ensured that corruption in ADB-related projects, such as pedestrian deaths due to the elevated expressway collapse, corruption in the land ministry under the Hasina government, corruption in ACC, NBR, WASA, DESCO, LGED, and other institutions, did not make it to the media. Similarly, the Indian High Commission and ADB played a role in silencing journalists concerning the crossfire killings under IGP Benazir Ahmed, financial corruption, the Sagar-Runi murder case to protect Summit Group, and many other incidents, according to the whistleblower._x000D_ _x000D_ It is also noteworthy that Bangladesh had a prior relationship with Manmohan Prakash before he became ADB’s Country Director. According to media reports, at his farewell ceremony on October 4, 2021, then Finance Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal said, "We are forever grateful to the family of Manmohan Prakash, Country Director of ADB for Bangladesh and Bhutan. His brave father fought for Bangladesh's independence as a member of the Indian Air Force. Through his four years of outstanding service, he has further indebted us by contributing to Bangladesh’s development journey."_x000D_ _x000D_ On the other hand, there have been allegations of harassment against Gobinda Bor. On May 3, prominent figures issued a signed public statement condemning his abusive use of power and continuous human rights violations against human rights activists, lawyers, and journalists. They claimed that after Sadhana Mahal sought legal recourse due to fraud, dowry demands, and forced divorce attempts by her ex-husband Gobinda Bor, he attempted to socially defame her through false accusations, slander, and online harassment. When writer and researcher Rezaur Rahman Lenin, human rights lawyer Rowshan Ara Lina, and journalist Ismail Ahsan supported Sadhana, Gobinda also tried to charge them under the repressive provisions of the Cyber Security Act.