RU journalists boycott RUCSU VP over controversial remarks, threaten tougher action

Three journalist organisations of Rajshahi University have announced a boycott of all programmes of the university's Central Students' Union (RUCSU) in protest against controversial remarks made by its Vice-President (VP) Mostakur Rahman Jahid. They have also threatened tougher action if he does not issue an unconditional apology within 24 hours.

On Tuesday (July 28) evening, at a press conference held at the RUCSU office, Mostakur Rahman Jahid, who is also the organisational president of Islami Chhatra Shibir, announced that action would be taken against journalists showing sympathy towards the banned Chhatra League. He reportedly issued tagging threats and intimidating statements against journalists during the press conference, called over an incident at the central library area.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Rajshahi University Journalists' Association (RUJAS), Rajshahi University Press Club and Rajshahi University Reporters' Unity (RURU) issued a joint protest statement saying the VP's remarks had undermined journalists' right to impartial news coverage. The organisation leaders said while objections to any report could be raised through protest letters or legal recourse, an elected student representative threatening journalists was contrary to press freedom. They added that the authority to take action against any banned organisation rests with the state and law enforcement agencies, not the students' union or its representatives.

The statement said members of the three organisations would refrain from covering or publishing any RUCSU activities until the VP publicly issues an unconditional apology. They warned of tougher programmes involving journalists nationwide if the apology is not forthcoming.

In a separate statement, the Rajshahi Television Journalists Association (RTJA) also expressed concern and condemnation. The organisation said that impartially presenting information of public interest is the fundamental duty of journalists, and if any report is factual and true, it should be considered part of journalism even if it affects someone's image. Describing threats of action against journalists as alarming for media freedom and professional security, the organisation called on the university administration to investigate the matter. It also expressed the expectation that VP Mostakur Rahman Jahid would explain his own remarks.