As countries observe World Press Freedom Day today with the theme “freedom of expression is a driver for all other human rights,” Bangladesh is perhaps passing through the worst phase of it. Our standing in the global index has been witnessing a year-on-year slide for quite some time, despite the fact that the number of media outlets - be it a newspaper, a TV channel or a multimedia portal - has seen a spectacular growth. These numbers have given the government a viable tool to counter the national and international outcry of curbing media freedom.   Media plurality, though essential in all democracies, has become a tool for drowning out independent and critical voices. From India, the world has learnt a new term called ‘Godi media’ which is used to describe the unprecedented growth and expansion of news outlets that represent the coterie formed among politicians belonging to the ruling party, the government, and their corporate owners. Replication of this model in our country...