Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh Editors' Forum has expressed deep concern over the statement of the Police Service Association about journalists.

In the statement, the Forum leaders said that the language in which some organizations including the Police Service Association have reacted after the media published the news about former and current police officers is against independent journalism. Such statements are unintended, unsolicited and a threat to independent journalism.

The investigative news that has been published in various media about the unusual wealth of some of the former and current senior government officials of the country is an expression of independent journalism.

The media is able to report corruption and abuse of power against the powerful because of the freedom of the media. Journalists always publish responsible and factual news. On the basis of these news published in the media, various agencies of the government including the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) have already started investigations against the mentioned accused persons. Even the government has declared 'zero tolerance to corruption' and said that no one is above the law. The government will take strict action against those who indulge in corruption and misdeeds. No organization will bear the responsibility of any person.

On behalf of the editors forum, we thank and congratulate the government for taking various steps including quick investigation after the news of corruption of various individuals was published in the media.

Chief Advisor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Convener Rafiqul Islam Ratan and Member Secretary Farooq Ahmed Talukder said in a joint statement on behalf of Bangladesh Editors Forum that if any government official commits corruption, it is his personal matter. Why should that organization and department bear the responsibility of his corruption? The Police Service Association's statement blaming the media is not at all desirable.

It is also unreasonable to blame each other on these issues. The leaders said that the right to freedom of expression and independent journalism is recognized by the constitution of Bangladesh. We feel that the Police Association needs to speak out against those who are indulging in corruption and tarnishing the image of the police force rather than blaming the media unnecessarily. It will brighten the image of the police force in the public mind.

Even in the face of hundreds of obstacles including hostile environment, threats, lawsuits and harassment, the conscious and responsible journalist society of the country has been fulfilling their professional responsibilities.

This trend will continue in spite of thousands of adversities. Therefore, the Editors Forum urges everyone to refrain from any speech or statement that destroys the environment of independent and objective journalism.