Take action against those involved in attacks on newspaper outlets

Senior journalists, newspaper owners, and other stakeholders have condemned the recent attacks on newspaper outlets and emphasised the importance of staying united to face future challenges.
They also urged the government to take necessary action against those directly or indirectly involved in the recent attacks on the offices of 'Prothom Alo' and The Daily Star.
The call came during the opening of a special installation art exhibition titled 'Alo', which highlighted the burnt remains of the Prothom Alo office in the capital's Kawran Bazar area on Wednesday.
President of the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) AK Azad, President of the Jatiya Press Club Hasan Hafiz, Editor of The Daily Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman, Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, The Editors' Council General Secretary and Editor of The Bonik Barta Dewan Hanif Mahmud , Secretary General of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Kader Gani, among others, spoke at the event.
The Prothom ALo Executve Editor Sajjad Sharif moderated the discussion.
Speaking on the occasion, NOAB President AK Azad emphasised the need to strengthen unity.
"If we remain united as publishers, editors, and journalist leaders, any hostile force will think twice before launching another attack against us, as we are ready to fight back," he said.
Jatiya Press Club President Hasan Hafiz said the new government must pay special attention to protecting freedom of speech.
"We expect them to remain committed to promoting free thinking, which is essential for a vibrant society. For democracy to thrive and to build a tolerant, democratic culture, newspapers must be allowed to operate without interference,' he said."
Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman called for an end to the divisions that have existed within the journalistic community for decades.
'We will stand by any journalist or group, regardless of their ideology, in times of attack,' he said.
He also stated that newspapers such as Naya Diganta, Sangram, Jaijaidin, and Amar Desh, along with their editors, had faced attacks, arrests, and persecution, and that these actions had been condemned at the time.
Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam called on the new government to probe those responsible for the incident and those who instigated it, insisting that the perpetrators be publicly exposed.
Bonik Barta Editor Dewan Hanif Mahmud said attacks on journalists are an old practice, but burning newspaper offices is 'extremely rare' globally.
He warned that the recent attacks send a 'very bad message about Bangladesh to the world.'
Later, the guests visited the four-storey building that was set on fire on December 18, which coincided with an attack on the nearby Daily Star office.
The exhibition features an artistic presentation of the burnt remnants in a dark-themed setting. Charred books, office equipment, melted metal, and other items have been transformed into artefacts. The artists also installed light and sound effects so that visitors can experience the frightening atmosphere during the arson attack by mobs.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until February 28, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Among those present at the occasion were Asjadul Kibria, planning editor at The Financial Express, and journalist leaders including Doulot Akter Mala, president of Economic Reporters Forum (ERF), and Mynul Hasan Sohel, general secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU.

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