Attacks on journalists

Freedom of the press is often held hostage in developing countries. Journalists often have to undergo harassment, imprisonment and even physical attacks for what they are meant to do professionally - to uphold the truth.

Recent abduction of Chttogram journalist Golam Sarwar has once again soiled the concept of free press. Four days after Sarwar had gone missing, he was reportedly found lying unconscious beside a canal in Chattogram's Sitakunda. Reportedly, he bore marks of torture all over his body.

His 'crime' was that he published a piece of news on the issue of land grabbing. A shocking video clip that emerged on the social media shows a terrified Sarwar repeatedly saying to people, "I won't report anymore!" after regaining consciousness.

Sarwar is not the only journalist who faced abduction and torture for his work. Shafiqul Islam Kajol, the editor of The Daily Pokkhokal, reportedly went missing after writing against a powerful person. Why Kajol disappeared has not yet been investigated. Instead, he is facing trial for three cases filed under the controversial Digital Security Act. Also, Md Iliyas Hossain, a correspondent of a local daily in Narayanganj, was hacked to death by miscreants on October 12. Besides, at least three journalists were assaulted this year for their work.

We strongly feel that journalists deserve an atmosphere where they can write freely and independently so that transparency and accountability are ensured in society. Silencing the voice of media professionals would not serve society, let alone protecting democratic values. How far democracy is exercised is understood by how journalists can exercise the right to express

Foyez Ahmed

Journalist

Kalihati, Tangail