Ensure dignity and safety of journalists

With each passing day, the situation for Bangladesh’s media seems to be growing ever more alarming. On the one hand, journalists face declining financial security in their professional lives; on the other, their safety, dignity and honour are not ensured. In many cases, journalists in this country now suffer neglect at every step. Since the mass uprising, we have witnessed several incidents where journalists have been beaten, insulted and humiliated in public. Recently, we saw a journalist assaulted inside a courtroom, in front of a judge — an incident that has left us deeply shocked. As a nation, where are we heading?

According to reports, during the bail hearing of journalist Manjurul Alam (Panna), imprisoned in a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Somoy TV reporter Asif Hossain was beaten inside the courtroom of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) in Dhaka last Thursday afternoon. He was assaulted by lawyers in the very presence of the judge.

In response, media workers formed a human chain at Karwan Bazar in the capital on Sunday. They said that assaults on journalists have now become routine. A journalist was attacked in the courtroom, in front of a judge, yet no action has been taken so far. In the human chain, media workers demanded action against the accused lawyer, including his expulsion from the court.

Calling for punishment of the accused lawyer, Somoy TV journalist Faruq Bhuiyan said: “To create a mob and launch an attack inside a courtroom is unprecedented. This incident has shown that justice weeps in silence. Such a grave event took place, yet no action has been taken against anyone.” He expressed doubt as to whether there would be any justice in this matter. Another Somoy TV journalist, Harunur Rashid, said: “The offender must be expelled from court. Journalists must be given protection.”

This incident cannot in any way be taken lightly. The trial of the accused must be ensured. There was a time when, if journalists were assaulted, intervention would come from the highest levels of government. But now, there is not even protest. The reason is that journalists no longer stand united. Journalists must unite. And the government, too, must guarantee journalists’ dignity and safety. Such an incident occurring in a courtroom, of all places, is utterly disgraceful. We call upon the government to take prompt action against the accused lawyer.