Editors’ Council concerned over cases against journos, writer
The Sampadak Parishad has expressed deep concern and worries at the prosecutions of journalists, a cartoonist, and a writer beneath the Digital Security Act (DSA).
A statement was issued in this regard yesterday signed by Mahfuz Anam, president of the organisation and the editor of The Daily Star, and Naem Nizam, secretary-general and the editor of the daily Bangladesh Pratidin.
The arrestees were prosecuted and several of them were arrested "on flimsy and unsubstantiated ground", read the statement.
"No concern is being shown as to the merit of complaints before making arrests. Reasons such as 'tarnishing the image', 'spreading rumour' or 'criticising the government' appear adequate to place journalists behind bars," observed the statement adding that any complaint under DSA almost automatically brings about arrests.
Mentioning the arrest and imprisonment of photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol, the statement observed that "simple criticism of law makers, district administrations and persons in power are behind almost all of the recent cases."
"Lawmakers traditionally always stood free of charge media and freedom of thought and critical thinking. Regrettably those hateful pounds are now a part of the existing DSA-led onslaught against the media. Clear preference of filing cases under DSA rather than existing defamation laws indicates a desire to intimidate and harass journalists instead of seek justice," said the statement.
It pressed the idea that the media's duty is to expose corruption and irregularities and explain the failures of the administration. "That is all more necessary when a large number of crores of taka are being spent by the government to fight the pandemic and its own disastrous consequences," it added.
The Parishad had always opposed the Act, citing fears that it can be utilized as a weapon to suppress freedom of the media. "Our fear is currently a nightmare-reality for the media," said the statement.
"We consider the recent suing and arrest of journalists as clear threats to freedom of press and freedom of expression. We demand the immediate release of most journalists and withdrawal of most cases against them. We condemn the frequent and indiscriminate usage of DSA against the media and common citizens and demand that the Act be repealed," concluded the statement.
