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Arrest of journalist

Prothom Alo Editor sued under DSA

Editors' Council, NOAB express deep concern


March 31, 2023 00:00:00


Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams being escorted by police at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka on Thursday. A Dhaka court sent him to jail after turning down his bail petition in a case filed under the Digital Security Act. — Focus Bangla

Editor and publisher of the country's leading newspaper Prothom Alo has been sued alongside other staff members under the Digital Security Act, reports UNB.

An FIR of the case was filed yesterday at Ramna Police Station by a lawyer named Abdul Malek (Mashiur Malek), accusing the paper's editor and publisher Matiur Rahman, reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams, an unnamed "assistant cameraman", and unnamed others of "using print, online, and electronic media to tarnish the image and reputation of the state".

In the FIR, the lawyer also mentioned that the accused were "purposefully spreading misinformation to deteriorate law and order situation of the country."

The case was filed under sections 25, 31 and 35 of the DSA.

According to the case statement, the plaintiff read news on the website of the Prothom Alo while he was browsing internet in front of Bangla-desh Shilpakala Academy area at around 9 pm on Sunday (March 26).

The report was published with a photo of a child holding flowers in front of the National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar, said the case statement.

The report said that the boy's name is Jakir Hossain and quoted him as saying: "What will I do with the independence if I don't have rice to eat? I sweat when I go to market; we need freedom of fish, meat and rice."

Though the boy was mentioned as Jakir Hossain by Prothom Alo, private television channel Ekattor TV in an investigation found that the boy's real name is Sabuj Ahmed and he is a class three student, it said.

The Ekattor TV report said that the boy did not say anything to the Prothom Alo reporter and the latter "took Sabuj's photo after giving him Tk 10".

The plaintiff said the news reported by Shamsuzzaman went viral on social media which "tarnished the image of the country and triggered criticism at home and abroad."

Moreover, there was a possibility of deterioration in the law and order situation in the country over the matter, the case statement said.

Meanwhile, a legal notice was also sent to the Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman and three others over the published content.

Mithun Biswas, a lawyer from Chattogram sent the notice to Prothom Alo office on Wednesday, demanding an unconditional apology to the nation within seven days.

On March 26, Prothom Alo published a 'card' with a photograph and a quotation of a day labourer Zakir Hossain for sharing a news report on Facebook. However, the national daily later removed the post from online due to a discrepancy regarding the photo that was used with the news.

Later, the report was republished with necessary amendments and a note below the report regarding the correction.

Shamsuzzaman Shams, the paper's Savar correspondent was sued in a separate case under the DSA on Wednesday afternoon for producing the report, around 10 hours after being picked up from his house near Jahangirnagar University by members of the Criminal Investigation Department of police.

A Jubo League leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Shamsuzzaman Shams, accusing him of publishing a "false and fabricated report" in the daily Prothom Alo.

Meanwhile, ministers and leaders of the ruling Awami League have slammed the photo and caption published by Prothom Alo on March 26.

An FE report adds: The Editors' Council (Sampadak Parishad) has expressed it deep shock and concern over filing a case against Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman and sending its reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams to jail under in a case under the Digital Security Act (DSA).

In a statement the Council on Thursday said on March 29 it had demanded withdrawal of all cases against journalist under DSA. But it was sadly noticed that despite the call Prothom Alo reporter Shams was sent to prison.

Also, a case was filed in Chittagong against a special correspondent of Daily Jugantor, Mahbub Alam Lablu, on Thursday under same act.

"The Council believes that filing cases one after another against newsmen under the DSA is severe attack on the newspaper industry and freedom of expression," the statement said.

The law minister had pledged to amend the rules of the DSA to prevent misuse of the law against journalist, it mentioned.

"But we have noticed with grave concern that cases are being filed against journalists frequently despite the assurance of the minister," it said.

The Council strongly demanded immediate withdrawal of the cases filed against all journalists including Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, its reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams, and Daily Jugantor reporter Mahbub Alam Lablu.

In a separate statement the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOWAB) also demanded withdrawal of all the cases filed against the newsmen, including former president of the association Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman.

"The steps towards filing cases against a number of newsmen under DSA during the last couple of days are not acceptable to us," the statement said.

It further said: "We believe that filing case against Mr Rahman under DSA is nothing but to harass him and issue threat to the fearless journalism of his newspaper."

The statement signed by its president A K Azad further said the increased use of DSA against newsmen has become a matter of concern to the association.


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