Police association statement threat to media freedom: Editors' Council

The Editors’ Council has expressed deep concern and protested against a statement made by the Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) regarding journalism.

The council termed the police statement as a threat of media freedom.

In a statement on Sunday (June 23), the council said, "Their (BPSA) request to exercise greater caution in future reports about the Bangladesh Police appears to be a threat to the media, which the Editors' Council deems contrary to independent media and impartial journalism practices."

The Editors' Council said it believes that the BPSA's statement, in response to recent news reports, is an expression of mutual blame.

"The Editors' Council considers the association's statement to be an unseemly, unreasonable, and irresponsible action against independent media and impartial journalism," reads the statement signed by Editors' Council President Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star, and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud, editor of Bonik Barta.

The Editors' Council further suggested that if there are doubts about the responsibility of those who published these reports, the appropriate rules and regulations should be followed to approach the Press Council.

Earlier on June 21, the BPSA issued a statement condemning what it described as a "smear campaign" by certain media outlets against current and former members of the police force.

The association claimed that these reports are exaggerated, partial, and intentionally misleading.

The BPSA's statement came amid the Anti-Corruption Commission's (ACC) inquiry into the assets of former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family, following media reports on allegations against him of accumulating illegal wealth.