CPB, BJIM concerned over rallies in front of media houses

Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM) and the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) have expressed deep concern over recent protest rallies outside the offices of two national newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, in Dhaka and Chattogram.

BJIM is particularly troubled by the implications for the safety and security of journalists working at Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, it said in press release issued yesterday.

BJIM, an advocacy group for press freedom, urged protesters to express their concerns peacefully and constructively.

"Refrain from actions that could provoke or threaten any members of the press," it stated.

In a separate statement, CPB President Shah Alam and General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince strongly condemned the attacks and defamation directed at the two newspapers.

"Any interference with freedom of expression will undermine the spirit of the mass uprising," said in a press release.

The government cannot evade its responsibility to ensure freedom of expression and maintain law and order, it added.