In a joint statement, they termed the government’s recent steps against the media a threat to the freedom of press and freedom of expression, and expressed their deep concern.
The editors also demanded withdrawal of cases filed against the editor of the Daily Sangram and Mahmudur Rahman’s mother.
The signatories to the statement are: Independent editor Mahbubul Alam, Samakal editor Golam Sarwar, Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, Prothom Alo editor Motiur Rahman, Naya Diganta editor Alamgir Mohiuddin, News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, Inqilab editor AM Bahauddin, Manabzamin editor Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Financial Express editor Moazzem Hossain, New Age editor Nurul Kabir, Kaler Kantho editor Imdadul Haq Milon, New Nation editor Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Sangbad acting editor Muniruzzaman, Bangladesh Pratidin editor Nayeem Nizam and Jugantor executive editor Saiful Islam.
In the statement they said, “The arrest of Daily Amardesh editor Mahmudur Rahman in a case under the ICT Act, locking the press of the newspaper, shutting down Dinganta and Islamic televisions without showing any reason are unwarranted and painful.
“We think, the government’s such attempts an apprehensive threat to the freedom of press and freedom of expression. There’s no doubt that such incidents will weaken the foundation of democracy,” the statement added.
The editors mentioned that the government’s move against the media is sending out a negative message to the outside world about Bangladesh’s attitude towards tolerance to opinions of others, democratic values and culture. “At the same time, these attempts are being considered and identified as obstacles to democratic practice and its flourishment in the country.”
POTPOURRI FROM AL HILAL
(1)- Businessman killed while 2 groups of Awami Student League Thugs were fighting! Is it a NEWS? This kind of killing taking place in the country by the SURJA-SANTAN of the FATHER OF THE “NOTION”, THE GREATEST BENGALI OF ALL TIME. almost everyday. ———
(2)- 15 EDITORS IN BANGLADESH WANT THE BAN IMPOSED BY THE GOVT ON TV STATIONS & MEDIA LIFTED AND IMPRISONED, CHARGED EDITORS RELEASED UNCONDITIONALLY. But
“DEVIL WILL NOT LISTEN TO THE SCRIPTURE” as the Anglo-Saxon saying goes.
Killing the Messengers has been the most time-honoured custom of the Awami League, started by the “FATHER OF THE ” NOTION”, THE GREATEST BENGALI OF ALL TIMES. Crafty Hasina will exploit the divide that exists among the editors.—–
(3) USA DEMANDS TIGHTER SAFETY OF GARMENT FACTORY WORKERS & FAIRNESS & TRANSPARENCY IN WAR CRIMES TRIAL
Hasina might as well consider American government is opening another front against her government to (1) oust her and (2) to save the war criminals.
(4)- RAZAKAR ALAMGIR’S DECREE: ” NO MORE PUBLIC MEETING WOULD BE ALLOWED IN OUR CONTROLLED DEMOCRACY. I WILL TELL AMERICA & THE WB, “ MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS & LIVE US ALONE AS YOU LEFT US IN 1971 WHEN I WAS SUPPLYING CHICKEN TO THE PAKISTANI SOLDIERS”!!!
Charlatan Hasina’s most of the ministers are terrorist, abusing and insulting personalities. But they are not fool. They can read the writing in the wall, their days are numbered. Hence they have returned to their abysmal period of 1972-75, following the foot path of their Father of the NOTION. But this time too they would not escape the wreath of the oppressed “JONOGON”. They know full well that one-party election’s result would not be acceptable by anyone, home or abroad & they too know that their chance of winning a fair election is very slim indeed.
(5)— Japan, Germany, France & Canadian ambassadors will meet Begum Khaleda Zia, the leader of the 18 party Alliance and twice the elected prime minister of the country. But Hasina said, “ SHE (KHALEDA) WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO SAVE THE WAR CRIMINALS & NO FOREIGN POWER CAN PUT HER IN POWER AGAIN. OUR JONOGON (Masses) WILL DECIDE WHO RULES THE COUNTRY, THE PARTY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OR THE PAKISTANI RAZAKARS”
I was expecting this reaction much earlier. Better late than never!