Health official files case against two journalists for publishing news in Moulvibazar, stirs in district
Md. Abdul Qaiyum , Moulvibazar
A case has been filed under the Cyber Security Act against Moulvibazar's rwo journalists by recently withdrawn former UHFPO Dr. Cynthia Tasmin of the Srimangal Upazila Health Complex for publishing news of irregularities of government hospital.
The accused are Moulvibazar District Staff Reporter of the daily 'Khola Kagoj' and Joint Member Secretary of Srimangal Press Club Ehsan Bin Mujahir and District Correspondent of the daily Janabani Manju Bijoy Chowdhury.
The victimized journalist, along with local journalist organizations, have strongly condemned and protested against the case, calling it completely intentional and "false." They have demanded the immediate withdrawal of this harassing case.
Regarding the allegations, journalist Md. Ehsanul Haque said that he has been doing investigative journalism for a long time. He published several investigative reports on the mismanagement of healthcare in hospitals.
He said that in order to verify the administrative and financial transparency of the hospital, he had applied for official information on 11 issues related to the performance of the UHFPOs duties under the 'Right to Information Act, 2009'.
Journalist Ehsan claims that the officer was angry because he had applied for information on these irregularities and published a series of news stories, and filed this cyber case against him, making false allegations of extortion and blackmailing.He demanded impartial investigation.
The other accused are Bangladesh Khelafat Jubo Majlis leader Mojahidul Islam , Md. Ehsanul Haque, 'Gen Z Srimangal' and expatriate Amir Ali.
The case alleges that the accused, in collusion with each other, intentionally spread slander using various anonymous and false IDs and demanded money in the name of deleting the post.
Meanwhile, there is intense anger and dissatisfaction among local journalists in Moulvibazar regarding the case against the two journalists.
District Journalists Union President Zafar Iqbal said, "Whenever news of irregularities or corruption against a government official is published, journalists are either charged with extortion or under the Cyber Act. This has now become a culture.
