Oppression on dist journos worries editors
The Editors' Council has expressed grave concern over the rising incidents of oppression and harassment of the district correspondents of national dailies by police, influential politicians and local criminals.
It also expressed concerns over a recent letter of the Press Council, informing editors about imposing some conditions for professional journalists, says a statement of the Editors' Council yesterday.
The issue of police torture on Bangla daily Prothom Alo's Bauphal correspondent Mizanur Rahman was highlighted in the meeting, held at The Daily Star Centre on Saturday, of the platform of editors of the leading national dailies.
According to the report of Patuakhali Civil Surgeon, marks of injuries and tortures were found on Mizanur's body, and his kidney may have been affected as well.
The meeting, chaired by the daily Samakal Editor Golam Sarwar, was told that Mizanur was taken to police custody in a fabricated case and that he was not granted bail.
He was accused of "beating police and hampering government activities". April 15 has been set aside for the case hearing. Hearing for another case of "extortion" is scheduled for April 28.
"This means, there is no possibility of his bail before April 28. He has been confined to jail despite an emergency need for treatment," says the statement signed by the Editors' Council General Secretary Mahfuz Anam, also the editor and publisher of The Daily Star.
It condemned the incident and demanded justice for Mizanur.
Against the backdrop of a rise in oppression on district correspondents, the Editors' Council has decided to hold a meeting with the district correspondents of its member dailies.
The meeting unanimously agreed that the Editors' Council will play a strong role in protecting freedom of the press and help journalists carry out their professional duties.
Apart from Golam Sarwar and Mahfuz Anam, Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman; AHM Moazzem Hossain, The Financial Express; Tasmima Hossain, acting editor of the daily Ittefaq; Khandker Moniruzzaman, acting editor of the Sangbad; Nurul Kabir, New Age; Shyamal Dutt, Bhorer Kagoj; Imdadul Haq Milon, Kaler Kantho; Noyeem Nizam, Bangladesh Protidin; Alamgir Mohiuddin, Daily Nayadiganta; AMM Bahauddin, Daily Inquilab; Mozammel Hoque, Daily Karatoa; Dewan Hanif Mahmud, Bonik Barta; and Zafar Sobhan, Dhaka Tribune, were also present at the meeting.