DMP summons goes against law, practice
Dhaka Union of Journalists yesterday expressed deep concern over summoning of at least 10 journalists by the police after the publication of a report on the immoral activity of a senior cop.
Issuing a statement, the DUJ said such a move goes against the country's law and practice.
DUJ President Quddus Afrad and General Secretary Sajjad Alam Khan Topu said this type of letter by the police created a kind of psychological pressure which was inconsistent with the free flow of news.
Recently, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) sent letters to some journalists asking them to appear before an enquiry committee at the scheduled time to "enable it to conduct a proper investigation".
The DUJ leaders observed that summoning and questioning journalists during an investigation by police into a police crime was clearly against the country's conventional law and practice.
"There is no scope for enquiring sources of journalists under the country's law. Because protecting confidentiality of the source is recognised as part of the basic and sacred duty of a journalist," the statement said.
Moreover, the job of journalists is to break the barrier of secrecy and inform the public about true and objective information, it added.
The DUJ leaders demanded immediate withdrawal of such a "psychologically stressful" letter.
After the news appeared in the media, Md Imam Hossain, joint commissioner (logistics) of DMP, who allegedly offered bribes to DMP Commissioner Shafiqul Islam, was transferred to its Public Order Management Division on June 9.
The move came days after Shafiqul in a letter to the inspector general of police sought transfer of Imam, an additional deputy inspector general of police, on charges of offering bribes.
Terming the joint commissioner "a corrupt officer", the DMP commissioner in his letter said there were graft allegations against Imam over various purchases. Imam even offered the commissioner a percentage from procurements. And that is why he should not be working in the DMP, read the letter.
Shafiqul further requested the police chief to transfer Imam immediately and take necessary steps in this regard.
DUJ WORRIED OVER BAB'S DECISION
In another statement issued yesterday, the DUJ expressed concern over the decision of Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) that it would not publicise advertisements in newspapers, online news agencies and television channels.
The DUJ said the decision to stop advertising in the media by banks is tantamount to obstructing the expansion of the media and hindering the freedom of expression.
It said advertisement is one of the main sources of income for the media outlets. During this difficult time of the Covid-19 pandemic, it will not be sensible for any organisation to stop advertising.
The top DUJ leaders said the role of the media in shaping the country and the nation would be affected by this decision.
Stopping advertising in the media by making an announcement is tantamount to hostile treatment of the media, the statement said.
The journalist leaders called upon the BAB to withdraw the announcement.
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