More than 50 journalists from various media outlets across the country have issued a statement protesting threats and attacks on media houses and demanding bail for imprisoned journalists.

The statement, signed by 51 journalists on Monday, condemned incidents of murder cases filed against journalists, job terminations, journalist killings, torture, and harassment. It also called for the reopening of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) office, which has remained locked for the past 11 months.

The statement was sent to the media by Taimur Faruk Tushar, editor of Bengal News Twentyfour.

The statement reads, “We, journalists from various media outlets, observe with deep concern that the country is now hostage to mob terrorism, and the media is not spared from this crisis. Incidents such as murder cases against journalists, job losses, attacks on media offices, journalist killings, and torture have created a terrifying environment for the journalistic community. Mob terrorists have publicly slaughtered cows and held feasts in front of the offices of several leading newspapers. These incidents are being carried out by identified mob terrorists with public announcements, yet they are not being brought to justice. This raises the reasonable suspicion that some powerful quarters are patronizing these acts.”

It further states, “According to reports published in local and international media and claims by rights activists, 10 journalists were killed between July and December last year. Over the past 11 months, at least 412 journalists have been named in various harassment cases, including blanket murder cases, across the country. Thirty-nine journalists have been arrested, and the Ministry of Information has canceled the press accreditation cards of 168 journalists. Membership of 101 journalists has been suspended, canceled, or expelled from the National Press Club and other press clubs nationwide. Over 300 journalists face travel bans, and the bank accounts of more than 100 journalists have been seized. In the last 11 months, over a thousand journalists have lost their jobs. Media organizations and journalists’ associations have been taken over through mob terrorism, and the DUJ office has been kept under lock and key for 11 months.”

The statement adds, “Every citizen has the right to legal recourse or bail, but for unknown reasons, imprisoned journalists are being deprived of this right. Journalists are languishing in jail for months without trial, which is a clear violation of human rights. We had hoped that the interim government would rise above partisan politics to curb this mob terrorism, protect media workers from persecution and harassment under various labels, and ensure job security so that journalists could practice objective journalism fearlessly. However, nearly a year after the interim government assumed power, there has been no significant improvement in the situation, leaving us deeply concerned.”

It further demands, “We call for justice for all journalist killings and torture, condemn the harassment of journalists, and demand bail for imprisoned journalists. We urge the government to ensure media freedom, stop the harassment of journalists, and take action against those openly threatening and intimidating the media. Attempts to silence journalists by labeling them politically must be stopped.”

The statement was signed by notable journalists, including former DUJ President Abu Jafar Surya, former President and General Secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo, senior journalist Nazrul Kabir, Editor-in-Chief of Bangla Insider Syed Borhan Kabir, DUJ General Secretary Aktar Hossain, former President of Dhaka Sub-Editors Council (DSEC) Zakir Hossain Imon, former DSEC General Secretary A K M Obaidur Rahman, President of TV Camerajournalists Association (TCA) Mohammad Faruk Hossain (Tanvir), former DRU Organizational Secretary and Editor of Dainik Mukhapatra Sheikh Jamal, Joint Secretary General of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Mohsin Kazi, BFUJ Vice-President Mahmudul Alam Nayan, senior journalist and Liberation War researcher Jamal Uddin, President of Khulna Union of Journalists Saiduzzaman Samrat, President of Brahmanbaria Union of Journalists Deepak Chowdhury Bappy, General Secretary of Brahmanbaria Union of Journalists Farhadul Islam Parvez, and President of Chittagong Union of Journalists Riaz Haider Chowdhury.