Journalists in Lalmonirhat held a human chain on Sunday demanding the withdrawal of a case filed under the Cyber Security Act against two local journalists over reports published about alleged irregularities and corruption.
The protest was held at 11am in front of the Lalmonirhat Police Superintendent’s office under the slogan, “Our pens will continue to write the truth.” More than 100 journalists from print, electronic and online media joined the programme despite adverse weather.
The two accused journalists are S.K. Sahed, Lalmonirhat district correspondent of national daily Kalbela, and Zubair Ahmed Khan Rohan, Lalmonirhat multimedia correspondent of Naya Diganta.
Senior journalists at the protest said filing cases against journalists over published reports cannot be used to silence the media. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the case and called for an environment where journalists can work independently and impartially.
Speakers said the case was filed after reports were published on alleged irregularities and corruption involving the Teesta Overall Village Development Cooperative Society Ltd. They described the case as an attempt to harass journalists and discourage investigative and truth-based reporting.
Leaders of several social organisations called for a proper investigation into the allegations and urged authorities to take legal action against anyone found responsible.
Journalists also demanded that those involved in harassing, threatening or obstructing reporters be identified through a fair investigation and brought under the law.
S.R. Ratan, president of the Bangladesh Press Club’s Rangpur divisional committee, said attempts to obstruct journalists from performing their duties or suppress their voices would not be accepted. He also called for ensuring the safety and independence of journalists.
Other speakers, including Milon Patowary of Ekattor Television, Mehedi Hasan Jewel of the Lalmonirhat Television Journalists Association, Towhidul Islam Liton of Press Club Lalmonirhat and senior journalist Gokul Roy, also expressed concern over threats to press freedom and called for unity among journalists.
The protesters said reporting on irregularities and corruption in the public interest is a fundamental responsibility of journalists. They warned that harassment or legal pressure against journalists for carrying out this responsibility would pose a serious threat to media freedom.
