Members of the press have staged a protest outside the headquarters of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) after the latter summoned two journalists over the media’s coverage of controversies surrounding an ACC director and a police officer.
On Monday, the ACC issued two notices asking online news portal Bangla Tribune’s special correspondent, Dipu Sarwar—and ATN News’ Emran Hossain Suman—to appear before it on Wednesday morning to record their statements over a couple of recent reports.
The protest, which began on Wednesday, at 11am, in Segunbagicha, saw scores of journalists turn out to express their solidarity with their two summoned colleagues – and decry the commission’s notice.
Dhaka Union of Journalists President Abu Jafar Surjo said: “The summonses issued against Dipu and Sumon must be withdrawn today. If not, we will go for sterner protests. The ACC chairman cannot avoid responsibility for this.
“Reporters have to work together with the ACC to get rid of corruption in Bangladesh. However, the use of this language against reporters seems to imply that some people do not want a corruption-free Bangladesh,” Abu added.
Razu Ahmed, former general secretary of the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, said the incumbent ACC chairman had restricted press access to the ACC office, but it was later sorted out..
Parvez Khan, former president of Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh, said: “The language used to summon Dipu is heinous and unacceptable. Journalists have begun a crusade against corruption. In the history of the ACC, no chairman has ever been as tyrannical as Iqbal Mahmood. They not only have to apologize and withdraw the letter, they have to issue a bond and pledge never to repeat this mistake.”
The protesters threatened to continue their protests on Thursday at 10am if their four demands were not met within the day. They want the ACC to:
● Issue an apology
● Withdraw the letter
● Take action against the officer who issued the letter
● Provide reporters with unfettered access to the ACC
ACC responds
At a city event on Wednesday morning, ACC Chairman Iqbal Mahmood said: “The ACC does not issue notices, investigating officers do that. If an investigating officer acts out of line, you may submit a claim. There is a format for these types of letters. If he did not follow the format, we will take action against him.”
ACC Public Relations Officer Pranab Kumar Bhattacharya informed reporters that Fanafillah has been issued a show-cause notice for dereliction of duty.
He said the notice was served because Fanafillah issued two letters, for the same purpose, with differing language.
Media reports prompt ACC summons
In a report run by the Bangla Tribune on June 23, Dipu wrote that ACC Director Khandaker Enamul Basir leaked a probe report to Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Mizanur Rahman, who faces allegations of amassing illegal wealth.
Issued by ACC Director Sheikh Mohammad Fanafillah, one of the notices said it is mandatory to record and hear the statement of Dipu over the report, revealing that Basir took Tk40 lakh from the DIG in bribes.
However, Bangla Tribune denied ever running such a report. The online portal published a report with the headline: “Who are [the individuals] in the audio clip of Londoner Doyas?”
According to the report, DIG Mizan bribed many—with the help of some ACC officials—to quash the allegations brought against him. Abdul Doyas, a Bangladeshi living in the UK, negotiated with ACC officials for the bribes that Mizan offered.
Contradictions
In the notice sent to Dipu, ACC Director Fanafillah said legal action will be taken against him if he does not comply.
When contacted, Fanafillah said on Tuesday: “We served the notice only to record their statement, something we do regularly in case of any investigation. If any respondent disobeys our call or does not cooperate with us regarding an investigation, we can take legal action,” he said, referring to Section 19 (3) of the ACC Act-2004.
When asked if the ACC will sue the reporters if they do not comply, Fanafillah said: “We will be doing no such thing. At best, what we can do is request the reporters to come to us. We do not even have the right to force someone to appear at the ACC office to record their statement.”
Interestingly, he went on saying that the other notice meant for Suman erroneously did not mention “legal action,” but it should have been there.
Section 19 (3) of the ACC Act has a provision of a maximum three years in prison, or fine, or both, for hindering or deliberately disobeying any ACC official in cooperating during an investigation.
Home minister responds
Responding to a quarry about the proceedings Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said: "ACC has some power and that is why they can call anyone at any time asking for clarification over an issue.
When asked about the language used in the letter issued to summon two journalists by the anti-graft body, the minister said: “Ask ACC about this.”
Fury on social media
On social media, journalists reacted with outrage after the notices became public knowledge.
Bangla Tribune Executive Editor Harun Ur Rashid wrote in a Facebook post: “As journalists, our reports are treated as information. Other than a report, I am not bound to give any information. I am not even bound to reveal my source. The ACC needs to unearth what happened. What will the ACC do if I do not give it information?”
Muktadir Rashid Romeo, senior reporter at New Age, wrote in another post: “This is beyond decency. Dipu and Suman are being threatened with legal action for running reports.
“This is no different from threatening all journalists, which is an obstacle to free journalism. I feel that the notices need to be withdrawn for the sake of the freedom of journalism. The ACC director must understand that he officially threatened two journalists.”
