A case under Digital Security Act was filed against five journalists including Towfique Imrose Khalidi, Chief Editor, online news portal bdnews24.com, and Mohiuddin Sarker, Editor-in-charge of Jago News. Besides, there are reported allegations of threat, torture and harassment of journalists around the country. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses its grave concern over these incidents.

According to news media reports, on the nights of Saturday, 18 April 2020, a case was filed under Section 25, 29 and 31 of Digital Security Act at Baliadangi Police Station, Thakurgaon, against five journalists including Towfique Imrose Khalidi, Chief Editor, bdnews24.com, and Mohiuddin Sarkar, Editor-in-charge of Jago News for running reports on the corruption of Mominul Islam Bhasani, President, Sechhasebak League, Baliadangi Upazilla. The plaintiff complained that his image as well as the image of Bangladesh Awami League has been tarnished by reporting such false news.

Along with the doctors, nurses, law enforcement forces, bankers and other service providers, the journalists are playing important roles in the current crisis by providing information to people and the government. The journalists are making people aware about the latest situation, making them aware about different issues as well as passing information regarding people’s opinion and need and the effectiveness of initiatives taken by the government to the decision makers. ASK has very sadly noticed that recently there are incidents of filing cases against journalists under the controversial Digital Security Act, or physical torture or other type of harassments. Unfortunately, almost all of these incidents are connected with the ruling party or their supporters.

ASK places firm emphasis on ensuring the public’s constitutional right to get information and freedom of press. These incidents attempt to suppress the voice of the press which can no way be acceptable. ASK draws attention of appropriate authorities to create a congenial environment for the journalists so that they can fulfill their professional duties smoothly, and to take internal and legal action against all the perpetrator involved in these incidents. Besides, ASK urges for the immediate withdrawal of the above-mentioned case.

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