Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) on Friday condemned and protested filling of 'random' and 'ill-motivated' murder cases against 25 journalists.
Expressing deep concern, the two journalists' associations said they feared that random filling of cases against journalists might shrink space of press freedom in the country.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia (FCC), the Press Club of India (PCI), the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) and the Press Association (PA) sent a letter to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, expressing deep concern over filling of cases against journalists.
Issuing a statement, DRU Vice President Shafiqul Islam Shamim and General Secretary Mohi Uddin called for dropping of professional journalists from such 'ill-motivated' murder cases.
"If there is allegation of graft against any journalist, it should be proved," the statement said and added, "Filling of such ill-motivated cases should be stopped to ensure environment of independent journalism."
A statement issued by CRAB Office Secretary Kamal Hossen Talukder said its President Kamruzzaman Khan and General Secretary Sirajul Islam called for an end to filling 'random and motivated' cases against journalists.
DRU and CRAB leaders warned of launching tough movement to safeguard the profession if filing of such 'ill-motivated' cases continues.
Meanwhile, a murder case was filed against 25 journalists with the capital's Bhasantek Police Station on September 11.
Issued by FCC President S Venkat Narayan, PCI President Gautam Lahiri, IWPC President Parul Sharma and PA President Chhaya Kant Nayak, the joint letter sent to Muhammad Yunus said, "Implicating as many as 52 respected media personnel in murder cases, imprisoning some of them and filing unsustainable charges against many others in the International Crimes Tribunal are blatant violations of the freedom of expression and thoughts."
"We hope you share with us the belief that a free press should be the pride of Bangladesh. Eliminating dissent and suppressing press freedom tarnish the image of not only your Administration but also of Bangladesh as a country," said the joint statement.
The journalists' organisations urged the Chief Adviser to be vigilant against all those who are enemies of press freedom and act against them if they harass journalists.
They requested Nobel Peace laureate Prof Yunus to personally intervene and ensure the safety and security of journalists in carrying out their jobs without fear and favour.
They demanded release of journalists who were arrested on frivolous charges.
