Editors' Council voices concern

The Editors' Council has expressed its unequivocal concern over the continuing trend of murder charges being filed against journalists on vague allegations.

The council has asserted that such cases represent a clear abuse of the country's existing legal framework and a violation of the interim government's commitment to upholding press freedom and independent journalism.

If journalists are accused of any wrongdoing, appropriate legal action should be taken through due process based on specific and substantiated allegations, it added.

The Editors' Council, an organisation of newspapers' editors, has also stressed the importance of maintaining high professional and ethical standards in journalism.

"Journalists who may have supported oppressive measures under the previous regime, under the guise of journalistic activity, should be investigated by a committee formed under the Press Council," said a press statement sent by president of the council Mahfuz Anam and its general secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud on Saturday.

"Should they be found guilty, they may be penalised according to the provisions of the Press Council Act. In cases involving other offenses, the Press Council may recommend further legal action in accordance with the country's existing laws."

The council has said the previous government's efforts to suppress journalistic freedom through draconian laws, including the DSA and the CSS, as well as the arbitrary detention and harassment of journalists, were met with the widespread global condemnation.

"The current practice of filing continuous murder charges against journalists similarly tarnishes the image of the interim government on the international stage."

The council has also called for an immediate release of journalists facing such charges, provided that a thorough and fair investigation proves their innocence.

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