Bank Accounts of 11: Journo bodies to stage demo on Thursday
Journalist associations will demonstrate across the country on Thursday, demanding that the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit stop summoning the bank account details of 11 journalist leaders.
Different journalist associations made the announcement yesterday at a rally in front of Jatiya Press Club.
Addressing the rally, Jatiya Press Club President Farida Yasmin said, "The information minister and home minister are not aware of the summoning of bank account details. There is a conspiracy to pit the journalists against the government."
An investigation can be launched against an individual or an organisation over specific allegations. But the wholesale probe targeting the top leaders of established associations seems to be on purpose, she said.
The rally was organised by Jatiya Press Club, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Journalists Union.
BFUJ President Molla Jalal said the Financial Intelligence Unit's move was unprecedented. "We want an explanation from the government."
Other speakers said the move was targeted towards particular organisations and demanded that the bank account details of government officials also get published.
Many journalists have lost their jobs while others are not being paid regularly amid the pandemic, they said, adding that such a move would create an unhealthy and alarming environment for journalists.
On September 12, the Financial Intelligence Unit issued letters to all banks seeking details of bank accounts belonging to 11 journalists who head different journalist associations.
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