The Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) has called for the immediate withdrawal of journalists' names from ongoing murder cases, expressing concern over the inclusion of media professionals in legal proceedings that they believe are intended to harass.
In a recent statement, the ERF noted that three of its members have been named in murder cases alongside political leaders.
"We will fail to achieve our objective of an equal rights-based society and to establish a society with proper justice if such purposeful, false and baseless murder cases are filed against professional journalists to harass them,” said Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha, president of the ERF.
He said journalism is an independent profession and journalists have the right to full freedom of expression for a better society.
ERF General Secretary Abul Kashem also condemned the targeting of journalists and demanded the immediate removal of the names of the implicated reporters.
"I am strongly condemning and protesting the murder cases against three members of the ERF. I am demanding the withdrawal of the names of the ERF members from the murder cases,” Kashem said, urging punitive measures against those responsible for filing false cases.
The ERF called on the government to protect the rights of journalists and ensure that they can work without fear of harassment or persecution.
