Journalists’ Front rally at Press Club demanding release of jailed journalists, withdrawal false cases

The Anti-Repression Journalists’ Front formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday (May 8), demanding the release of jailed journalists and the withdrawal of what it described as “false and harassment-driven cases” filed against media professionals across the country.

During the programme, speakers alleged that journalists faced widespread repression, intimidation and legal harassment under the previous administration led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

They claimed that the period witnessed an unprecedented number of arrests, lawsuits and dismissals targeting journalists and media workers.

Speaking at the event, the organisation’s convener Akhtar Hossain said journalists had been subjected to “false cases, dismissals and imprisonment” during the Yunus administration. He urged the current government to take immediate steps to free detained journalists and stop all forms of harassment against the media.

“If the government fails to take responsibility in protecting journalists, it will be seen as standing against press freedom,” he said, adding that releasing imprisoned journalists would improve Bangladesh’s democratic image globally.

Member secretary of the organisation Sheikh Jamal alleged that after assuming power in August 2024, the Yunus administration launched systematic repression against “free-thinking individuals and media institutions.” He claimed attacks on media outlets, journalists and cultural symbols became part of a broader political strategy.

According to him, hundreds of journalists faced legal harassment, physical assaults and intimidation, while more than a thousand media workers reportedly lost their jobs. He also alleged that several journalists were killed during the period.

Sheikh Jamal claimed that at least 47 journalists, including prominent media personalities such as Shahriar Kabir, Mozammel Babu and Shyamal Dutta, were arrested, while many remain in jail.

He further alleged that murder cases were filed against 449 journalists nationwide, accreditation cards of 168 journalists were revoked, and around 1,200 reporters and media employees lost their jobs. Several television channels and newspaper offices were also vandalised or set on fire, he claimed.

The organisation placed a series of demands during the programme, including the withdrawal of all “false cases” against journalists, the release of detained media workers, reinstatement of dismissed journalists, restoration of accreditation cards and press club memberships, and investigations into attacks on media houses.

Leaders of the platform also called for the reopening of the offices of the Dhaka Union of Journalists and the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, alongside the withdrawal of restrictions on journalists’ bank accounts and foreign travel.