Journalist leaders have alleged that barring media workers from Supreme Court courtrooms violates the constitution, urging the chief justice to immediately restore their access.
They warned of tougher programs if the restriction is not lifted.
They made the remarks on Wednesday at a sit-in organized by the Law Reporters Forum (LRF), an organization of journalists covering law, justice, constitutional affairs and human rights. The program was held in front of the Supreme Court’s main gate.
Journalist leaders said journalists have been denied access to various courtrooms of the Supreme Court, including the Appellate Division, since January 7.
They said the restriction has prevented journalists from directly observing proceedings in pending cases and collecting news.
Nurul Kabir, president of the Editors Guild and editor of New Age, said journalists were protesting an unjust decision.
“It is extremely unfortunate. Following a bloody mass uprising, the goal was to establish democracy, democratic rights and justice in society. At such a time, court proceedings should have been made accessible to people through the media,” he said.
“We are seeing the highest level of the judiciary depriving people of their right to information.”
Kabir said the media had stood by the judiciary whenever previous governments attempted to undermine the courts or judicial system.
“When the highest court itself obstructs the media from carrying out that responsibility, questions arise about the democratic commitment of the judiciary’s leadership,” he said.
He said conducting proceedings in open court is a constitutional obligation.
“If rights guaranteed by the Constitution are violated, the highest authority of the judiciary is responsible for protecting them. If that very institution violates those rights, it is sad, unfortunate and shameful,” Kabir said.
He said the Editors Guild hoped the Supreme Court would not violate the Constitution by restricting access to open court proceedings.
“We sought a meeting with the chief justice to discuss the matter but did not get one. I hope the chief justice and other judges will understand its importance. They must clearly understand that the measures being taken against news gathering are contrary to the Constitution of Bangladesh,” he said.
Dhaka Journalists Union President Shahidul Islam said people turn to courts as their last resort when their rights are violated or they become victims of injustice.
“But when the court itself deprives people of their rights, where will they go?” he asked.
“If our rights are not restored through this peaceful program, we will take to the streets.”
Addressing the chief justice, Shahidul said: “You know that after August 5, 2024, the country’s chief justice fled, the Khatib of the National Mosque fled and many judges fled. We do not want to go down that path. Establish the right to information. Otherwise, we will have to take tougher programs. Do not force us in that direction.”
Dhaka Reporters Unity President Abu Saleh Akon questioned why journalists were being prevented from entering courtrooms.
“What happens inside the courtroom that the nation cannot know? Why are journalists being barred from entering the court? This creates suspicion among the people,” he said.
Akon said journalists had witnessed “dictated verdicts” being delivered during the previous regime, some of which resulted in executions.
“We have fought for freedom of speech and freedom of writing for years. We will not accept any obstruction to our writing or professional duties,” he said.
He said several former judges were now serving prison terms over alleged misconduct, while others had fled the country.
“We do not want to see such examples in the future. I want freedom of speech and freedom of writing to be further strengthened under this chief justice,” Akon said.
“If that does not happen, we may block roads in our next program. At that point, you will not be able to hold us responsible.”
He also urged the government to discuss journalists’ professional rights with the chief justice and ensure they can perform their duties without obstruction.
“Otherwise, journalist organizations will launch a united movement with the Law Reporters Forum,” he said.
Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association General Secretary MM Badshah, Reporters Against Corruption President Shafi Uddin Ahmed, Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy President Kazi Emad Uddin Jebel, former LRF president and Ittefaq Executive Editor Saleh Uddin, RTV Head of News and former DRU president Ilias Hossain, former LRF president M Badi-Uz-Zaman and others expressed solidarity with the LRF’s demands.
In his concluding remarks, LRF President Muhammad Yasin said the forum would soon announce a programme to enter the Appellate Division courtroom if its demands were not met.
The programme was moderated by LRF General Secretary Arafat Munna.
More than 200 journalists, including LRF executive committee members, attended the sit-in.