Editors' Council condemns sentencing journalist

The Editors' Council has condemned the process of sentencing journalist, Shafiuzzaman Rana, to six-month jail by setting up a mobile court.

The platform of editors in a statement issued on Monday also expressed concern over spoiling free and independent journalism and growing actions against media men.

The statement was issued after a mobile court recently sentenced Shafiuzzaman, Nakla correspondent for Bangla daily Desh Rupantor, to jail allegedly for misbehaving with a government official and an office staffer while trying to collect information from the UNO office in Sherpur's Nakla.

Sending a journalist through mobile court reflects nothing but the usual behavior of government officials to show their power, said the statement.

"We are noticing with deep concerns that mobile courts often allow unilateral punishment to the accused without giving the opportunities to defend themselves," it added.

Considering the fact, the Council demanded that application of mobile court must be stopped against media men for the sake of freedom of expression and freedom of press.

At the same time, the council demanded steps against those who abused such law out of their vengefulness for personal interest.