As The Daily Star marks 35 years of journalism, the newspaper’s role in shaping public discourse, particularly around culture, politics, and artistic freedom, has come under renewed reflection. For filmmaker Ashfaque Nipun, the paper has long functioned as more than a news source. It has been a reference point for verified information, a platform that documents artistic labour with seriousness, and, at critical moments, a media institution willing to stand by artistes when their voices are most exposed. In this conversation, Nipun reflects on credibility, cultural representation, and why responsible journalism continues to matter in the creative sphere.
The filmmaker situates his trust in journalism within his own political awareness and lived engagement with the country. “I am someone who is politically conscious; whether as an artiste, a director, or a writer. Bangladesh is a country of more than 20 crore people, and something is always happening here. In that context, if I want accurate information, The Daily Star is one of the most reliable platforms for me.”
For him, credibility is not abstract; it is something tested in moments when news breaks and accuracy matters most. “Whenever news breaks, I instinctively check The Daily Star first to verify it. Among the many newspapers and portals available, it remains at the top when it comes to credibility. Whether I think about my artistic life, my political awareness, or even my personal activism, The Daily Star has played a role in shaping my thinking.”
What he values most, he says, is not the absence of mistakes, but the willingness to acknowledge them with responsibility. “It consistently tries to publish the truth, and even when mistakes happen, there is a sense of decency and responsibility in issuing corrections or rejoinders. That integrity is rare, and it matters deeply to me.”
Ashfaque Nipun argues that meaningful cultural journalism must look beyond trends and market logic. “When it comes to arts and culture, The Daily Star has, for many years now, played a progressive role. It does not limit itself to market-driven or trending news alone. Instead, it documents proper art and cultural practice; what we are doing locally, and how Bangladeshi artistes are performing on global platforms.”
In his view, documenting artistic practice, both local and global, is central to how culture is understood and valued. “Through news reports, interviews, and features, it brings these stories to a wider audience. Global achievements by Bangladeshi artistes are presented through credible coverage and contextual storytelling. That act of representation, bringing serious cultural work to the public, is one of The Daily Star’s most important contributions.”
Recalling August 2024, Nipun points to a moment when artistic dissent carried real personal risk. “If I talk about strengthening artistes’ voices, I immediately think of August 2024, during the mass uprising. When protesting artistes gathered, standing against student killings, their position was extremely vulnerable. Only a small number of artistes joined those protests, despite the risks. It was raining, we were blocked in Farmgate, and we weren’t even allowed to reach the Parliament area. At the same time, some prominent figures were appearing elsewhere, in safer spaces.”
It was in that moment, he says, that editorial courage became visible in print. “In that moment, The Daily Star published large, prominent reports; full-page coverage, documenting the artistes’ protest honestly, without hesitation. That was a very challenging time for any media outlet. Publishing such stories without knowing what consequences might follow required courage. But The Daily Star did it in print. I believe this kind of coverage strongly represents artistes and their artistic integrity. It gives artistes confidence and strength.”
For artistes, he suggests, institutional backing can determine whether a voice is sustained or silenced. “When one of the country’s most credible news organisations stands beside artistes like that, it emboldens them. It reassures them that their voices will not be erased or ignored. In that sense, The Daily Star has been forthright, principled, and deeply just in giving artistes their space.”
