Editors, journos, rights bodies voice concern

The Editors' Council has expressed deep concern over the detention of Samsuzzaman Shams, a reporter of Bangla daily Prothom Alo, and filing of a case against him under the Digital Security Act.

The DSA has already created barriers to journalism as well as freedom of speech and freethinking, the organisation said in a press release undersigned by its President Mahfuz Anam and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud.

Journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, civil society members, and even several ministers and lawmakers have been expressing concern and suggesting amendments to the act, it says.

The Editors' Council also has been opposing the law from the very beginning.

Law Minister Anisul Huq recently hinted at amending the act to prevent its misuse. Even after this, journalists and free thinkers are continuously being harassed and repressed through the use of this act, reads the press release.

"An aggrieved person can file a complaint and a case with the Press Council regarding any news. Instead, cases are being filed under DSA," it states.

For the sake of independent journalism and a safe environment for journalism, the Editors' Council demands amendments to DSA immediately and the withdrawal of cases against all journalists, including Shams.

In a separate statement, Editors Guild Bangladesh expressed deep concern over the detention of Shams.

"It is everyone's duty to ensure a safe environment for the work of free and independent media," reads the statement signed by Mozammel Babu, president of Editors Guild and editor-in-chief of Ekattor TV.

"If the Prothom Alo publishes any news going against the ethics of journalism, the aggrieved party can seek redress at the Press Council. The matter should be settled through the Press Council," it said.

Dip Azad, secretary general of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), also thinks the issue could have been taken to the Press Council instead of detaining the journalist and filing a case against him.

"Our opposition to the use of Digital Security Act against journalists will remain unchanged," he told The Daily Star last night.

"At the same time, we think Prothom Alo should have issued a clear explanation for its work that went against the ethics of journalism."

A CID team from Dhaka picked up Shams from his home in Ambagan area near the Jahangirnagar University campus early yesterday after a Jubo League leader filed the DSA case.

It drew condemnations from different political, social and right organisations, who demanded his release immediately.

Meanwhile, 30 eminent citizens yesterday expressed concern over the picking up of journalist Shams.

In a statement yesterday, they said the reporter had been untraced for about 10 hours after he was picked up.

"Detaining a person at night without a warrant is unthinkable in a civilised country. We are dismayed at such harassment of citizens during the month of independence," added the statement.

They demanded unconditional release of Shams and repeal of the DSA.

Among the signatories to the statement are former Dhaka University VC Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury, photographer Shahidul Alam, writer and economist Prof Anu Muhammad and Supreme Court lawyer Sara Hossain.

At a protest programme, President of CPB's south unit Shamsuzzaman Hira said the quote in the news report in question reflects the view of every common people of the country.

"We took part in the Liberation War. The country is yet to achieve economic emancipation though we got a map and a flag. The struggle for freedom is still going on," he said.

Rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra said the conduct with the journalist was very repulsive and unacceptable.

"Such an act [DSA] is a huge barrier to independent journalism and professional duty," it said, adding that picking up a journalist in the middle of the night is unacceptable.

"The practice of denying the detention of Shams is unthinkable," reads the press release signed by ASK Executive Director Nur Khan.

Founding President of Foundation for Human Rights Culture Advocate Sultana Kamal said the human rights activists have long been demanding that it is not appropriate for law enforcers to pick up anyone when they are in plainclothes because it gives them scope to conceal their identities.

"The state agencies must have transparency while discharging duties," she said in a press release.

Rastro Songskar Andolon said the government does not dare counter the report logically by producing evidence. Demanding his immediate release, it asked the government to repeal DSA.