Cases against journalists hinders free expression: LRF

The Law Reporters Forum (LRF), an organisation of journalists on law, justice and human rights issues, has expressed concern over the ongoing filing of cases against journalists. 

The organisation thinks that indiscriminate filing of cases against journalists hinders the establishment of rule of law and free expression of opinion.

LRF acting president Hasan Zabed and its general secretary Moniruzzaman Mission issued a statement in this regard on Sunday. 

In the statement, the LRF leaders condemned and protested the cases filed against journalists, including its members – Daily Samakal's Senior Reporter Abu Saleh Rony and Daily Mukhapatra's Editor Sheikh Muhammad Jamal Hossain - without specific charges.

The leaders said that murder case is not desirable without specific charges against journalists. 

LRF considers such cases to be contrary to the rule of law and independent journalism. Therefore, it makes request to verify the allegations before filing a case against the journalists.

The statement urges to release the journalists from the cases if their involvement is not found.

On September 4, some 115 people, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 21 journalists, were made accused in a murder case filed with Jatrabari Police Station in the capital. 

So far, 84 journalists were made accused in separate murder cases.

Meanwhile, The Editors’ Council, Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB), Human Rights Watch, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and various foreign organisations have issued separate statements expressing their concern over the wholesale filing of cases against journalists.