29 May 2014 . Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses deep concern over the several incidents of threat, extortion and judicial harassment of journalists in recent time.

According to media reports, on 26 May 2014 a case was filed against A.B.M Mizanur Rahman, the Potuakhali correspondent of Daily Prothom Alo alleging him of extortion and mugging. The case was filed by the president of local Union Jubo League after he has published a news titling ‘the local government’s assistance project in Baufol: remains on papers not in reality’ in the Daily Prothom Alo on 24 May 2014. It has also been known from  media report that,  an online newsperson named Bahram Khan was threatened by  local Member of Parliament (MP) from  Narayanganj- 4 constituency on 28 May 2014, while he called the MP over phone to get  opinion about the 7-murders occurred in Narayanganj .

We have been observing that, while performing professional duty, Journalists are becoming victims of various kinds of threat and intimidation including physical assault and judicial harassment. The repeated occurrence of such incidents is seriously damaging the freedom of expression and of journalists in performing their professional duty. We would like to recall Article-39 of the constitution of Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh which has guaranteed the freedom of expression and of the press. Hence it is the responsibility of state to ensure that everyone including the journalists is entitled to enjoy those rights.

ASK urges the authority to take immediate action against the perpetrators through proper investigation and legal action and also to ensure freedom of expression and of the press.

Press Statement on 29 may 2014-PDF