ETV chief reporter, three others fired 'for covering Tarique'

The Ekushey TV authorities yesterday sacked two journalists including the chief reporter and two high officials allegedly for their involvement in live-telecasting BNP Senior Vice Chairperson Tarique Rahman's speech from London on January 5.

The dismissed are Mahatir Faruqi Khan, the chief reporter; Zahidul Islam, a director; Kanak Sarwar, a special correspondent; and Jamal-e-Bashir, an assistant manager.

Managing Director Ashraful Alam Tutul made a verbal announcement yesterday afternoon in this regard, said an ETV staff.

“Although the authorities didn't mention the reasons behind the dismissal of the four, everybody in the house believes that the action was taken for broadcasting Tarique's speech,” a senior staff told The Daily Star, preferring anonymity.

The step followed the arrest of ETV Chairman Abdus Salam on January 6. The day before, cable operators, mostly loyal to the Awami League, allegedly stopped transmission of the private TV channel for giving live coverage to Tarique and relaying it several times.

Police implicated the ETV boss in a pornography case filed with Cantonment Police Station two months ago.

Special Correspondent Akhil Poddar was made the chief reporter immediately.

ETV Senior Reporter Sajed Romel said, “Our channel is still not available in the whole country. Around 30 districts remain out of our coverage.”

He said the other staff were not worried about the authorities' decision.