DUJ urges interim govt to withdraw murder cases against journalists

The Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) expressed deep concern over the recent trend of journalists being implicated in murder cases following political changes in the country, urging the chief adviser and relevant ministry advisers to immediately withdraw these cases.

In a statement issued on today (Saturday), DUJ President Sohel Haider Chowdhury and General Secretary Akhtar Hossain highlighted that since the political shift on August 5, more than 50 journalists across various districts, including the capital Dhaka, have been implicated in murder cases.

Among those accused are individuals who hold leadership positions in different journalist unions and press clubs, in addition to their professional roles in journalism.

The DUJ stressed that these individuals play a crucial role in upholding the public’s right to information while also leading the journalist community.

The organization warned that the continued filing of such cases against journalists does not bode well for the nation.

The DUJ leadership said that while any journalist should be held accountable if specific allegations are proven against them, implicating them in murder cases merely for alleged associations with the previous government is unjust.

The DUJ also condemned the reported incidents of harassment and abuse of arrested journalists in court premises, calling these acts unacceptable.

They called for the immediate identification and prosecution of those responsible for such heinous attacks and abuse.

The DUJ emphasized that the widespread filing of murder cases against journalists is creating fear within the entire journalistic community and sowing anxiety among the public.

The organization cautioned that this trend could hinder the nation’s commitment to building a just and equitable society.

As a result, the DUJ has called for the immediate withdrawal of these cases against journalists and their leaders.