Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear, they say
Different journalist organisations protested the attacks, arson, and looting at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, demanding that those responsible be brought to justice.
Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Sazzad Alam Khan Tapu and General Secretary Akhtar Hossain strongly condemned the incidents. In a statement, they said that following vandalism of media offices, incidents of arson and looting took place -- acts that can never be acceptable under any circumstances.
The journalist leaders said they were shocked and deeply concerned by the attacks. The journalistic community is suffering from extreme insecurity, while their family members are living in severe fear.
Last night, attackers carried out vandalism, arson, and looting at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar and later at The Daily Star building. While trying to stop the attackers in front of The Daily Star building, the President of the Editors' Council and New Age Editor Nurul Kabir was harassed and humiliated, the statement said.
The leaders also condemned the killing of journalist Imdadul Haque Milon, President of the Sholua Press Club in Dumuria upazila of Khulna, who was shot dead on December 18. They demanded that the killers be brought to justice.
In another statement, the Freedom of Media Coalition said that such acts of violence and intimidation are unacceptable and strike at the heart of press freedom and the public's right to be informed.
The Freedom of Media Coalition is a global partnership of 51 countries dedicated to promoting media freedom and protecting journalists worldwide.
"Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear. Protecting them is essential to upholding the rule of law, democratic values, and an open, informed society," the statement said.
The Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB), expressed deep concern and strongly condemned the attacks. In a statement signed by DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Arifuzzaman Mamun, the association said independent and responsible journalism is one of the main foundations of a democratic state.
"Violence, intimidation, attacks, or harassment aimed at silencing the media are in no way acceptable. Such actions are completely contrary to media freedom, the constitutional right to freedom of expression, and the rule of law," the statement said.
DCAB strongly demanded that the perpetrators be identified and brought to justice through fair, impartial, and speedy investigations, and urged the government to take effective measures to ensure the safety and security of media professionals.
DCAB also expressed deep concern and strongly condemned the arrest of its former president, Anis Alamgir, and expressed solidarity with the national mourning to be observed on Saturday following the tragic death of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi.
