Journalists in Bangladesh Face Severe Threats: FCCSA Issues Urgent Call for Protection to Dr. Muhammad Yunus
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/14th August 2024
In a significant appeal to safeguard press freedom, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia (FCCSA), along with several other prominent press organizations, has expressed deep concern over the escalating threats and attacks on journalists and media outlets in Bangladesh. The concerns were formally communicated in a letter addressed to Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government of Bangladesh, on August 12, 2024.
The FCCSA, along with the Press Club of India (PCI), Indian Women’s Press Club (IWPC), Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) of India, Press Association, and the Indian Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents (IAFAC), highlighted the alarming reports of violence against journalists and media organizations in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other regions of Bangladesh. The letter emphasized that these attacks have not only endangered the lives of media professionals but have also driven many into hiding due to relentless threats and intimidation.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by reports of several journalists being killed in recent days, an indication of the perilous environment for media practitioners in the country. The intimidation and violence are not solely attributed to anti-social elements but have also been linked to actions by some responsible officials, exacerbating the threats to independent journalism in Bangladesh.
The letter reminded Dr. Yunus of his esteemed position as a Nobel Peace Laureate and urged him to recognize the severe impact that crimes against journalists have on society. The correspondents stressed the vital role that a free and independent press plays in enabling informed decision-making among the public. The organizations emphasized that media freedom, both online and offline, is fundamental to the functioning of inclusive democracies, and the erosion of this freedom poses a significant threat to the credibility and trust in journalism.
In their plea, the press organizations called on the interim government to implement immediate and effective measures to protect journalists and media workers from violence, threats, and attacks. They stressed the importance of conducting impartial, speedy, thorough, independent, and effective investigations into all incidents of violence against journalists, ensuring that the guilty parties are held accountable.
Furthermore, the letter urged political leaders, public officials, and government authorities to refrain from any actions or language that could undermine the trust in the credibility of journalists. This includes denigrating, intimidating, or threatening the media and individual journalists, as well as avoiding communal or discriminatory rhetoric that could further erode the respect for independent journalism.
The call to action from these respected press organizations serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of protecting media freedom in Bangladesh. As the situation for journalists in the country remains precarious, the global community and local authorities are being urged to take decisive steps to safeguard the rights and safety of those who play an essential role in informing the public and upholding democratic values.
