Apex Journalists’ Associations Urge Bangladesh Govt to Protect Press Freedom
Led by New Delhi-based Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia, many top press bodies write to the interim government to protect journalists and uphold the integrity of independent journalism.
NEW DELHI — The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCCSA), along with several other prominent press associations, has expressed deep concern over recent reports of attacks on journalists and media outlets in Bangladesh. The concerns were conveyed in a letter addressed to Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government of Bangladesh.
The letter, signed by S. Venkat Narayan, President of FCCSA, highlighted the alarming situation in which journalists, both from print and electronic media, have been facing threats, violence, and intimidation in cities like Dhaka and Chattogram. There have been reports of journalists being killed and others being forced into hiding due to relentless threats, not just from anti-social elements but also allegedly from responsible officials.
The letter emphasized the critical role of a free press in maintaining informed and inclusive democracies, urging Dr. Yunus to ensure the safety of journalists and media workers. “As a Nobel Peace Laureate, we are sure that you share with us the belief that crimes against journalists and media houses have an enormous adverse impact on society as a whole,” the letter stated.
The associations have called on the Bangladesh government to take effective measures to protect journalists, ensure impartial investigations into all incidents of violence, and hold the perpetrators accountable. Furthermore, the letter requested that political leaders, public officials, and government authorities refrain from using language or actions that could intimidate or undermine the credibility of the press.
The letter was endorsed by several significant bodies, including the Press Club of India (PCI), Indian Women’s Press Club (IWPC), Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA-India), Indian Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents (IAFAC), and the Press Association (Government of India-Accredited Correspondents).
This collective appeal from South Asia’s press organizations underscores the essential role of free, independent, and diverse media in fostering democracy and the need for immediate action to safeguard these freedoms in Bangladesh.
