Open Letter to Dr. Robert Ray Hill of Open University, Missouri, USA

Dear Dr. Robert Ray Hill,

Asian Tribune wishes to place on record that your unorthodox efforts to clear the name of TIU - The International University, located in Missouri, by trying to post comments in the columns meant for readers of the “Asian Tribune” is not a procedure endorsed by the “Asian Tribune.”

If the TIU had any concerns about items published in the “Asian Tribune the straightforward and the commonly accepted practice should have been to write directly to the Editor, “Asian Tribune” stating your position. The Asian Tribune is always open to criticism and we consistently adhere to the principle of the right of reply.

Due consideration would have been given to your comments if it was sent directly to the Editor. Please note that even earlier we afforded you with such an opportunity to state you facts through Asian Tribune.

Instead of approaching us directly, it is intriguing as to why you decided to adopt the questionable method of planting a statement under a fictitious name of one “Jim Tagg,” and with a fictitious position as “Registrar of the TIU.”

This casts serious doubts about your motives. We would like to know from you as to why you chose such a method without approaching us directly.

Besides, you will concede that it is left to the discretion of the administrator to decide whether any comments posted in the website should be allowed to remain or deleted. As you had the facility of approaching the Editor directly on this issue it was decided that your comments should not be posted in the columns meant for Asian Tribune readers who are not involved in the issue under discussion.

Kindly note that Asian Tribune has nothing either against you in particular or TIU or its affiliated organizations or its academics and staffs in general.

One of the activities of the “Asian Tribune” is to engage in investigative journalism – a practice commonly accepted in all democracies. As a publication committed to critically examine any irregularities in Asian countries in particular, we believe we have a duty to bring to the notice of the authorities in Bangladesh as well as to the TIU the discrepancies and the information we received about its affiliate in Bangladesh. This was done with good intentions without any malice.

Furthermore, we are unable to come to terms with your logic of someone claiming himself as the classmate of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister’s son and he cannot be criticized for his lapses and alleged wrong doings.

Bangladesh is supposed to be country strictly adhering to the principles of democracy and rule of law. Therefore there is no one in that country above the law including the Prime Minister of the country.

Your assertion of one of your contacts being the classmate of Prime Minister’s sons amounts to aiding and abetting nepotism and corruption in the country.

Therefore, we would request you to go into the facts that have been painstakingly collected from various sources in Bangladesh. We have presented our investigations for your kind notice and for necessary action, if any.

Therefore we urge you to take our criticism fairly and, after critically assessing the pros and cons to rectify the gray areas pointed out by the Asian Tribune. In keeping with our policy of “right of reply”, we are also prepared to carry an official reply from you dealing only with the issues without casting aspersions on individuals.

Also, note that like most media publications “Asian Tribune” has faced and weathered many threats and attempts to blackmail us. Yours is the latest. You have the right to go to courts just as must as we have the right to defend our case in court. And, as they say, let the best man win.

Duty Editor,
Asian Tribune