At least 137 journalists have been implicated in 32 criminal cases filed in Dhaka, Chattogram, Bogura, and Rajshahi centring the July uprising.

According to case documents and police records, they have been charged with murder, attempted murder, unlawful assembly, rioting, abduction, vandalism, extortion, assault, and in certain cases, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

The 32 cases were filed between August 21 last year and April 20 this year. The Daily Star obtained most of the case documents.

Many of the cases name them as co-accused alongside deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Charges have even been brought against the journalists under the Explosive Substances Act.

Dhaka Union of Journalists and a rights activist have raised concerns over press freedom.

Implicating them [journalists] in murder cases has been a new phenomenon since August 5. This definitely violates their professional freedom, which is guaranteed by article 29 of the constitution.

— Jyotirmoy Barua, Supreme Court lawyer

Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi said the journalists, who encouraged Sheikh Hasina with their speeches and questions in TV talk shows, were being accused in criminal cases.

"Many of the journalists benefited from Sheikh Hasina and became owners of television channels. They aided and abetted her during the uprising," he said.

When asked why murder cases were being filed against journalists, Faruqi said, "They might not be directly involved, but they aided and abetted through their speeches."

Supreme Court lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua, however, said, "It is alarming to see that a large number of cases have been filed against journalists across the country on the allegation of their involvement in murders during the July movement."

He told The Daily Star that politically empowered goons were using the criminal process for personal gains.

The lawyer said even in places where no student movement took place or no one died, journalists, among others, were being falsely implicated in criminal cases.

Referring to journalist couple Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed, who have been sued over murder, he said they might have committed other offences for which they could be booked, but the allegation of their involvement in murder sounds vague.

"Journalists face threats and become victims of physical violence randomly in our country. Implicating them in murder charges has been a new phenomenon since August 5. This definitely violates their professional freedom, which is guaranteed by article 29 of the constitution," he said.

Contacted, Muhammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said cases are being investigated with sincerity. The accused would be relieved if the allegations against them were found to be false, he said.

He added that investigators have been instructed not to harass anyone innocent.

HIGHEST CASES IN DHAKA

In Dhaka, 19 criminal cases have been lodged against 77 journalists in connection with murder, attempted murder, unlawful assembly, rioting, and other charges.

Two of the cases were filed with the International Crimes Tribunal.

Law enforcers have already arrested several journalists, including Rupa, Shakil, Mozammel Babu, Shyamal Dutta, Sheikh Muhammad Jamal Hossain, and Arif Hasan, in connection with the cases.

So far, Jamal has secured bail.

Most recently, on April 20, a case was registered with Mirpur Model Police Station against Sheikh Hasina and 407 others, including 24 journalists, over the killing of BNP activist Mahfuz Alam Shraban during the July uprising in the capital's Mirpur area.

In Chattogram, two cases were lodged against 33 journalists, accusing them of attempted murder and abduction.

In Bogura, 22 journalists, including four working in Dhaka, were accused in eight cases. Four of the cases involve murder charges.

In Rajshahi, three cases were lodged against 14 journalists for their alleged involvement in vandalism, extortion, and assault.

In August last year, a case was also filed against 28 journalists with the International Crimes Tribunal accusing them of crimes against humanity and genocide.

Referring to a press conference, the complaint said the accused journalists "through different questions, made instigating remarks and provoked Sheikh Hasina to eliminate the protesting students and ordinary people".

It also claimed that these journalists, described as "sycophants" of the then government, published "false news to instigate the genocide and crimes against humanity".

Naeemul Islam Khan, former press secretary to Hasina; Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former media adviser to Hasina; Farida Yasmin, former president of the Jatiya Press Club; Shyamal Dutta, editor of Bhorer Kagoj; Mozammel Babu of Ekattor TV; Nabanita Chowdhury; Subhash Singh Roy of abnews24.com; Ahmed Jobaer of Somoy TV; Tushar Abdullah of Ekhon TV; Saiful Alam, editor of Jugantor; Naeem Nizam, editor of Bangladesh Pratidin; and Abed Khan, former editor of Samakal, were among the accused.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka Union of Journalists yesterday condemned and protested the filing of a murder case against 24 journalists.

In a statement, DUJ President Sajjad Alam Khan Topu and General Secretary Akhter Hossain said bringing unspecified and sweeping allegations against journalists poses a serious threat to freedom of expression.

"If professional journalists continue to face such cases consistently, the culture of fear within the profession will never be eliminated," the leaders said in a press release.