LRF demands withdrawal of restrictions on journalists entering appellate division courtrooms

The Law Reporters Forum (LRF)—an organization of journalists covering law, justice, and parliamentary affairs—has strongly demanded the immediate withdrawal of the decision restricting journalists from entering the courtrooms of various benches of the High Court and Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court. The demand was raised during a human chain and sit-in program organized by the LRF in front of the Supreme Court's main gate on Wednesday.

The program was presided over by LRF President Muhammad Yasin and conducted by General Secretary Arafat Munna. Prominent speakers included Editors' Council President and New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, former LRF President and Ittefaq Executive Editor Saleh Uddin, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Shahidul Islam, Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) President Abu Saleh Akon, former DRU President and RTV Head of News Elias Hossain, Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association General Secretary M M Badshah, Reporters Against Corruption President Shafi Uddin Ahmed, Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy President Kazi Jebel, and former LRF Presidents M Bodi Uz-Zaman, Ashutosh Sarkar, and Shamima Akter, among others.

Editors' Council President Nurul Kabir stated that following a bloody mass uprising, expectations for democracy, democratic rights, and the establishment of justice in society have grown. At such a time, the public should be informed about court proceedings through the media. Yet, the highest leadership of the judiciary is depriving citizens of their right to information. He noted that while the media has historically stood by the judiciary whenever past governments attempted to suppress it, the democratic mindset of the judicial leadership comes into question when that same media faces obstruction from the highest court while performing its duties.

Nurul Kabir emphasized that conducting trials in open court is a constitutional obligation in Bangladesh. He expressed deep regret and termed it unfortunate and shameful that the judiciary—entrusted with protecting constitutionally guaranteed rights—is itself infringing upon people's right to information. He also mentioned that an appointment to meet the Chief Justice to discuss the matter was sought but not granted.

Former LRF President and Ittefaq Executive Editor Saleh Uddin remarked that today's protest is aimed at protecting public rights. Pointing out that court entry has been barred for the past seven months, he clarified that this does not stop journalists' professional work or pose a livelihood issue, but rather hinders the complete implementation of the constitutional right of citizens to know.

DUJ President Shahidul Islam said that when people are deprived of rights and victims of injustice, they turn to the court as a final place of trust. If the court itself deprives people of their rights, where will they go? Warning that journalists will be forced to take to the streets if rights are not established through today's peaceful program, he called upon the Chief Justice to take necessary steps to uphold the right to information and urged that journalists not be pushed toward harsher programs.

DRU President Abu Saleh Akon challenged the Chief Justice to explain what reasons necessitate barring journalists from courts regarding matters the nation has a right to know, adding that such bans breed suspicion. Stating that obstructions to professional duties will not be tolerated, he asserted that the government should engage in discussions with the Chief Justice if necessary to ensure journalists' professional rights, failing which journalist associations will jointly launch a broader movement with the LRF.

LRF President Muhammad Yasin stated that although demands to restore journalists' access to courts have been raised for a long time, no effective steps have been taken. He warned that if the demand is not met, a program to enter the Appellate Division courtrooms will be announced soon.

Organizations Expressing Solidarity:
Over two hundred journalists from various organizations participated in solidarity with the LRF's program, including leaders from the Editors' Council, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB), Reporters Against Corruption (RAC), and Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED).