Staff Correspondent

'Nipiron Birodhi Sangbadik Front' formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club on Friday morning, demanding the immediate release of imprisoned journalists, the withdrawal of filed cases, and the reinstatement of dismissed media professionals.

Chaired by Front Convenor Aktar Hossain and moderated by Member Secretary Sheikh Jamal, media leaders addressed the demonstration, voicing deep concern over ongoing legal harassment and state pressure on journalists. Speakers pointed out that senior media figures, including Shakil Ahmed, Farzana Rupa, Shyamal Dutta, and Mozammel Babu, have been incarcerated since their arrests in August and September 2024. Over two years into their detention, their health has severely deteriorated, creating immense psychological and economic distress for their families.

The organizational leaders criticized the filing of murder charges against media professionals alongside hundreds of co-accused, noting that little to no investigative progress has been made despite repeated rejections of their bail applications. They also highlighted that human rights charges brought against Shyamal Dutta, Mozammel Babu, and Farzana Rupa at the International Crimes Tribunal based on their professional broadcasting and editorial work set a dangerous precedent for press freedom.

Elaborating on the widespread challenges, Member Secretary Sheikh Jamal condemned the recent arrests of journalists Gazi Tushar Ahmed and Sheikh Imon Ahmed, alongside the fatal shooting of Netrokona-based journalist Lutfuzzaman Alif. He stated that 52 journalists across the country have faced arrest, with several remaining behind bars, while 15 journalists have lost their lives and 118 others have suffered physical assault while discharging their professional duties.

Sheikh Jamal further noted that murder cases remain pending against 446 journalists, alongside widespread dismissals of senior editors, news heads, and correspondents across national print and broadcast outlets. He highlighted that prominent media offices including BTV, Ekattor TV, Somoy TV, First Alo, and The Daily Star faced arson and vandalism, while accreditation cards were revoked, press club memberships of nearly 700 journalists were suspended, travel bans were placed on over 50 journalists, and bank accounts of 47 journalists remain frozen.

The human chain was attended by the organization's Joint Convenor Zakir Hossain Imon, alongside members Sajeda Haq, AKM Obaydhur Rahman, Ragebul Reza, Waresunnabi Khondoker, Naimur Rahman Swapon, Hasnat Shahin, Rahima Khanam, Shafiqur Rahman, Majedul Islam Papel, Sujit Sojib, and Ramzan Ali.