The Editors’ Council has handed over a list of 282 journalists accused of various charges, including murder, to the Prime Minister.
The leaders of the Editors’ Council submitted the list during a meeting with the Prime Minister at the Secretariat on Sunday afternoon and expressed concern over the cases filed against journalists.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mahfuz Anam said that 94 of the listed journalists are accused in murder cases. In addition, there are various criminal cases against them.
Mahfuz Anam said the list given by the Editors’ Council is not final or complete, but it has been prepared with sincerity. He said the Prime Minister has accepted the list and directed the concerned ministry to review the matter.
According to him, the mass filing of cases against journalists is not positive for the democratic environment and it can also have a negative impact on the image of the government. He said these concerns were clearly highlighted in the meeting and the Prime Minister assured to consider the matter seriously.
Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan, who was present at the meeting, said that when the representatives of the Editors’ Council raised the issue of the ongoing case against journalists with the Prime Minister, she took it seriously. He also said that instructions have been given to those concerned to take necessary steps immediately.
At the same time, the editors and senior journalists also mentioned in the meeting that there was no direct interference in the media during the current government’s tenure and thanked the government for this.
According to media analysts, the issue of lawsuits and legal pressure against journalists has long been a focal point of discussion in the country. This initiative by the Editors’ Council could create a new area of discussion on media freedom, security, and the professional environment.