Nearly two years have passed since television journalists Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi were killed in their flat in February 2012.
The submission of the murder investigation report into their case was delayed 27 times before a progress report was filed this September. With eight accused held in jail, it is important progress on this case be speeded up to bring justice for the victims.
Around the world, over 700 journalists have been killed for bringing news and information to the public. This weekend’s UN-backed International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists provides a reminder of the need to ensure accountability and bring to justice perpetrators of any crimes against journalists and media workers.
The liberty of the press is essential to democracy. As well as acting against impunity for violence against journalists, it is important for the government to resist actions which limit freedom of expression and to encourage moves to promote media diversity.
Bangladesh has too many laws restricting press freedom. Along with many other states, we are categorised by Reporters Without Borders as a country where press freedom is in a “difficult situation,” which is the fourth worst out of five headings.
Unfortunately, the government still promotes plans to exercise power over the free press. Its proposal earlier this year to revive the “black law” scrapped in 1991, giving district magistrates authority to cancel declarations of newspapers for publishing material deemed “anti-state,” or stories that could hurt the religious sentiments of the people.
Compromising with press freedom is a dangerous and undemocratic road which must be avoided.
