Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) urges maintaining more caution and proper adherence to journalistic ethics in reporting about the force, as recent random graft reports came to its notice.
The association made the appeal in a press release issued Friday, claiming that a section of print, electronic and social media have been consistently publishing "exaggerated, partial, and intentionally misleading" reports about former and current members of Bangladesh Police.
The organisation strongly condemns such media ruckus. "We believe that the media has a responsibility to its readers to publish impartial news," the rebuttal reads.
"Yet, for some mysterious reasons, a certain class of media is cleverly trying to discredit the Bangladesh Police, engaging in a smear campaign that is nothing but an attempt to stifle honest journalism. Such one-sided behaviour from the media is equivalent to deceiving the general reader." It further reads.
The statement comes amid the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation into assets of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed and his family members, following a number of media reports on allegations against them of accumulating ill-gotten wealth.
There were also media reports recently on allegations of graft against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia.
Police Service Association President and Additional IGP at Special Branch Md Monirul Islam and General Secretary and Narayanganj District Superintendent of Police Golam Mostafa Rashel signed the press release.
In the statement, the Police Service Association focused on the crucial role that the police have played, not only in maintaining law and order, but also in responding to natural and manmade disasters.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, police officers were at the forefront, enforcing quarantine measures, delivering essential supplies, and ensuring the burial of abandoned COVID victims. Despite the loss of 109 police officers to the virus, the force continued its duty to serve the public.
The statement highlights the negative impact that such reports could have on the morale of police officers who are described as "honest, dedicated, professional, and patriotic".
The association also points out that "anti-independence and anti-state elements, along with fugitive cyber-terrorists abroad, are using social media to spread false and exaggerated information about police officers".
It has called on the media to avoid being influenced by these sources and to uphold journalistic integrity.
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