Editors of the country’s 15 daily newspapers on Saturday demanded the government allow the recently closed private television channels Diganta TV and Islamic Television to go on air again and the release of Amardesh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman.In a joint statement, they termed the government’s recent steps against the media a threat to the freedom of press and freedom of expression, and expressed their deep concern.
The editors also demanded withdrawal of cases filed against the editor of the Daily Sangram and Mahmudur Rahman’s mother.
The signatories to the statement are: Independent editor Mahbubul Alam, Samakal editor Golam Sarwar, Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, Prothom Alo editor Motiur Rahman, Naya Diganta editor Alamgir Mohiuddin, News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, Inqilab editor AM Bahauddin, Manabzamin editor Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Financial Express editor Moazzem Hossain, New Age editor Nurul Kabir, Kaler Kantho editor Imdadul Haq Milon, New Nation editor Mostafa Kamal Majumder, Sangbad acting editor Muniruzzaman, Bangladesh Pratidin editor Nayeem Nizam and Jugantor executive editor Saiful Islam.
In the statement they said, “The arrest of Daily Amardesh editor Mahmudur Rahman in a case under the ICT Act, locking the press of the newspaper, shutting down Dinganta and Islamic televisions without showing any reason are unwarranted and painful.
“We think, the government’s such attempts an apprehensive threat to the freedom of press and freedom of expression. There’s no doubt that such incidents will weaken the foundation of democracy,” the statement added.
The editors mentioned that the government’s move against the media is sending out a negative message to the outside world about Bangladesh’s attitude towards tolerance to opinions of others, democratic values and culture. “At the same time, these attempts are being considered and identified as obstacles to democratic practice and its flourishment in the country.” (Source: UNB)
