The Editors Council has strongly urged the newly elected government to withdraw what it described as false and harassing cases filed against journalists, saying the issue must be treated with the highest priority to ensure media freedom and professional safety.
In a statement, the council said that since the period following August 5, 2024, numerous cases—including false murder charges—have been filed against journalists in different parts of the country. It alleged that many of the cases were motivated and intended to harass members of the media.
According to the statement, several journalists remain in prison due to these cases, while many others are being compelled to appear in court regularly. The council said the situation has severely disrupted journalists’ normal professional activities and undermined the independent environment of the media.
The Editors Council said it had repeatedly and politely requested the interim government to withdraw the false and motivated cases and to take effective measures to stop the harassment of journalists. It added that the interim administration had assured the council that the cases would be reviewed and that steps would be taken to withdraw those found to be false and harassing.
“Regrettably, the desired progress in this matter has not been observed,” the statement said.
The council, however, emphasized that if there are specific and evidence-based allegations against any journalist, those must be resolved through existing laws and a transparent judicial process.
“In the interest of justice, proper investigation of allegations and due legal process must be ensured,” it said, adding that “harassing and motivated cases are in no way acceptable.”
Ensuring media freedom and professional safety is a fundamental commitment of a democratic state, the council said, reiterating its expectation in this regard.
The statement was signed by Nurul Kabir, President of the Editors Council, and Dewan Hanif Mahmud, General Secretary.
