We have long expressed our concerns that people continue to be indiscriminately charged for murder in this nation ever since the fall of the Awami League government. However, that more and more journalists continue to join the list of accused is simply outrageous.
Among the most egregious of issues during the 15 years of Awami League regime was the lack of press freedom and a culture of intimidation that permeated the nation. It is the reason why so many journalists were silenced, some indefinitely, during the regime.
Of course, there were many journalists who did nothing more than toe the party line. However, there is simply no reason for charging even these individuals with a crime such as murder, let alone those who have done nothing but do their jobs.
That respected journalists and reporters, never having any connections with the former regime, can be accused of murder during the uprising paints an extremely troubling picture - that just about any journalist can be charged with murder and the one who lodges the case be.
Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has invited criticism of his government when speaking to members of the Editors Council. We were told that this is the government where journalists will finally be rid of the harassment and fear they have historically faced.
However, this troubling trend of accusing journalists of murder is only perpetuating this culture of fear, with honest journalists fearing that they may be the next name to be on a list.
While we certainly expect the recent directive, of not arresting anyone without concrete evidence, to be in effect, what we truly expect is for journalists to not fear doing their jobs.
Until we can ensure that journalists can work without prejudice or fear, this remains no country for journalists and freedom of the press.
Among the most egregious of issues during the 15 years of Awami League regime was the lack of press freedom and a culture of intimidation that permeated the nation. It is the reason why so many journalists were silenced, some indefinitely, during the regime.
Of course, there were many journalists who did nothing more than toe the party line. However, there is simply no reason for charging even these individuals with a crime such as murder, let alone those who have done nothing but do their jobs.
That respected journalists and reporters, never having any connections with the former regime, can be accused of murder during the uprising paints an extremely troubling picture - that just about any journalist can be charged with murder and the one who lodges the case be.
Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has invited criticism of his government when speaking to members of the Editors Council. We were told that this is the government where journalists will finally be rid of the harassment and fear they have historically faced.
However, this troubling trend of accusing journalists of murder is only perpetuating this culture of fear, with honest journalists fearing that they may be the next name to be on a list.
While we certainly expect the recent directive, of not arresting anyone without concrete evidence, to be in effect, what we truly expect is for journalists to not fear doing their jobs.
Until we can ensure that journalists can work without prejudice or fear, this remains no country for journalists and freedom of the press.
