Editors' Council calls for halt to mob violence

The Editors' Council of Bangladesh on Tuesday called for a halt to mob violence against the media as well as all kinds of institutions.

The call came a day after the Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) expressed serious concern over the freedom of media in the country, alleging frequent attacks by mobs in front of the offices of journalists and even with press staff on duty, according to a statement.

The council in its press release, issued by its President Mahfuz Anam and Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud, said that in the last couple of days, there had been incidents of sit-in, attack and vandalism in front of the offices of the Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in the city.

The council also praised the initiative taken by the press wing of the interim government's Chief Adviser as well as information and broadcasting adviser Nahid Islam as they took a stance against such wrongdoings.

If someone has any objection over any news or editorial policy of a newspaper, the Council thinks, he or she can express their positions and statements intellectually through writings and through speeches.

"The council strongly condemns such incidents," the statement says. At the same time it called on the government to crack down over mob violence against all types of institutions, including the media, it added.

The council also requested all parties concerned to refrain from getting involved in any activities going against freedom of expression.

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