Journalists from across Dhaka, covering the Supreme Court beat, staged a human chain on Sunday, tying black cloths over their mouths to mark World Press Freedom Day and protest restrictions on access to courtrooms.
They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the ban on journalists entering Supreme Court benches and called for the restoration of their right to gather news.
The protest was held around noon in front of the Supreme Court’s main gate, organised by the Supreme Court Reporters Forum (SCRF).
Speakers at the program said journalists have been barred for the past four months from entering the Appellate Division courtroom and several High Court benches.
They said that courtrooms are public spaces, where proceedings are meant to remain open to public scrutiny. Preventing journalists from observing hearings and collecting information, they said, is not only a professional but also a clear violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 39 of the Constitution.
They added that journalists had long enjoyed unrestricted access to the Appellate Division courtroom. However, since Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury took office, an oral restriction has been imposed on their entry.
Among those who addressed the gathering were SCRF President Masudur Rahman Rana, General Secretary Mehedi Hasan Dalim, and Channel i Special Correspondent Mazharul Haque Manna.