IFJ called on senior political leadership to ensure press freedom
Agency
DHAKA, December 08 2023: Three journalists were allegedly attacked, threatened and had their equipment damaged by former Member of Parliament (MP) Mostafizur Rahman and staff members of the ruling Awami League in Chittagong. The IFJ condemns the attack and called on Bangladesh’s senior political leadership to ensure that press freedom is upheld during the country’s upcoming elections.
On November 30, Chittagong Bureau of Independent Television journalist Rakib Uddin and two other journalists were allegedly attacked, with their equipment damaged. The attack occurred in front of the Chittagong deputy commissioner's office after Rakib asked Rahman if he had broken Bangladesh’s electoral code of conduct while the former politician was submitting candidacy papers.
The Dhaka Times reported the leader and his supporters allegedly threatened the journalist before assaulting him and damaging his and his colleagues’ equipment. Rakib Uddin said, “During the initial briefing when I questioned him in this regard, he became angry and attacked me abruptly. He physically assaulted me, throwing me to the ground. Furthermore, his supporters joined in and started to assault me. They broke cameras and confiscated microphones of both Independent Television and Maasranga Television.”
According to Rakib, the violence commenced after he pointed out that the leader had violated the electoral code of conduct as he was accompanied by more than five when he came to submit his nomination. On December 1, the election inquiry committee issued a show cause notice against the former politician regarding the alleged mispractice, with his alleged actions to be subject to an inquiry.
Mostafizur Rahman is a former member of parliament and Awami League candidate for Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali) constituency. In the past, Mostafizur Rahman has been in the news for ‘controversial activities, including leading processions with openly raised firearms and making disparaging remarks about senior central leaders of the party’.
The IFJ said: “The IFJ condemns the attack on Rakib Uddin and two other journalists. The attacks on media in Bangladesh especially by leaders and members affiliated with political parties are extremely alarming. The Awami Party should take steps to rein in their leaders and members and allow the media to work without threat. The government should increase its efforts to ensure media personnel safety while reporting, especially with elections coming up.”
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