The Aryavarth Express
Dhaka, Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Editors’ Council has called for the immediate withdrawal of what it described as false and harassing cases filed against journalists across the country.
In a statement issued by its President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud, the council said that since August 5, 2024, numerous journalists have been named in alleged false murder cases and other forms of legal harassment in different parts of Bangladesh.
According to the statement, many affected journalists are being compelled to make repeated court appearances, disrupting their professional responsibilities and undermining media independence.
The council maintained that if specific and evidence-based allegations exist against any journalist, such matters should be addressed through existing laws and a fair judicial process. However, it stressed that politically motivated and harassing cases are unacceptable under any circumstances.
The Editors’ Council also noted that it had repeatedly urged the interim government to review and withdraw the cases and to take effective measures to end harassment of media professionals. Although assurances were given that the cases would be reviewed, the council said no meaningful progress has been made so far.
Calling on the newly elected government to prioritise the issue, the council reiterated that ensuring media freedom and professional security is a fundamental commitment of a democratic state.
