Journalists across the country demand immediate release of Rozina
Journalists across the country today demanded immediate release of Prothom Alo Senior Correspondent Rozina Islam and punishment of those who assaulted and harassed her at the Secretariat yesterday.
In Dhaka, journalists protested in front of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the afternoon. They also demanded withdrawal of the case filed against her.
Former president of Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) Rafiqul Islam Azad said corrupt government officials have feared Rozina Islam for her reports.
"She reported on corruption of health ministry officials. For this, she was inhumanely confined for five hours and finally falsely implicated in the case," he said demanding immediate release of the journalist.
DRU President Mursalin Nomani said, "How did a government servant grab someone by the throat? Those who assaulted the journalist should be identified and brought to book."
DRU General Secretary Mashiur Rahman said they will sit for an emergency meeting on the issue and decide on tougher protest programmes to press home their demand.
Other than this, journalists in Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Tangail, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram also demonstrated seeking justice for Rozina.
Chattogram Union of Journalist (CUJ) during a human chain programme held at Chattogram Press Club premises urged the government to free Rozina and demanded the case against her be withdrawn.
"Rozina Islam was working for the betterment of the nation by exposing corruption of health ministry. Journalism is not a crime. Handcuffing Rozina is an ill effort to silence press freedom," said Shamsul Islam, general secretary of CUJ.
Mohammad Ali, president of CUJ said journalists across the country will wage tougher programmes soon if their demands are not met.
Chowdhury Farid, general secretary of Chattogram Press Club and Mohammad Ali Abbas, president of Chattogram Press Club were present during the programme.
In Rajshahi, journalists gathered at Shaheb Bazar Zero Point with the same set of demands.
Rajshahi Union of Jounalists (RUJ) organised the protest, which was joined by the Rajshahi Television Journalists Association, Rajshahi Photo Journalists Association, and different social organisations.
Senior journalist and freedom fighter Mostafizur Rahman Khan Alam said officials of the health sector have been engaged in corruption. They tortured Rozina for publishing news against them and they should be brought to justice.
In a statement, President of RUJ Rafiqul Islam and General Secretary Tanzimul Haque said Rozina Islam's contribution in investigative journalism is remarkable and that she has already published a number of investigative reports on numerous irregularities in the health ministry.
Sylhet Electronic Media Journalist Association arranged a protest programme in front of the Shaheed Minar in the city demanding punishment for corruption in the health sector and release of Rozina.
Sylhet Press Club also issued a statement saying that the confinement of an on-duty journalist in the secretariat is unacceptable.
In Tangail, journalists formed a human chain in front of the Tangail Press Club.
Journalists from print, electronic media and online portals took part in the hour-long programme.
Protests took place in In Lalmonirhat and Kurigram as well, demanding unconditional release of the journalist.
Human chains were formed in front of Kurigram Press Club and at the Mission Mor in Lalmonirhat.