DHAKA, Aug 31, 2024 (BSS) - Journalist leaders today demanded cancellation of all the black laws, including the Cyber Security Act (CSA), against mass media freedom.

They also demanded trial of the murder of all journalists, including the journalist couple Sagar-Runi and enactment of Journalist Protection Act alongside strongly protesting and condemning the fabricated media reports in the name of journalist leaders.

The journalist leaders made this demand at a rally on the Jatiya Press Club premises organized by Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).

The meeting was organized demanding repeal of all laws against media freedom, including the CSA, trial of murders of journalists including journalist couple Sagar-Runi and enactment of the Journalist Protection Act as well as protesting fabricated media reports in the name of journalist leaders.

In the rally, formation of a three-member investigation committee was announced to investigate fabricated media reports in the name of journalist leaders.

BFUJ President Ruhul Amin Gazi, General Secretary Kader Gani Chowdhury, former DUJ President Poet Abdul Hai Shikdar, former Editor of The New Nation Mustafa Kamal Mazumder, DUJ General Secretary Khurshid Alam, former General Secretary of Jatiya Press Club Syed Abdal Ahmad, former President of Dhaka Reporters' Unity Mursalin Nomani, BFUJ Vice President Khairul Bashar, BFUJ Assistant Secretary General Basir Jamal, President of Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists Union Mohammad Shah Nawaz, President of Rangpur Journalists Union Salekuzzaman Salek, President of Munshiganj Journalists Union Kazi Biplob Hasan, and Journalist Leaders Zahidul Karim Kochi, Erfanul Haque Nahid, Shaheen Hasnat, Khandker Alamgir and M Saeed Khan, among others, also spoke.

With DUJ President Md Shahidul Islam in the chair, DUJ organizing Secretary Didarul Alam conducted the meeting.

Ruhul Amin Gazi said, "We didn't expect that we have to take to the streets to make any demands even after the fall of the fascist government."

"But, the sad thing is that we have to come down to the streets to seek justice for Sagar-Runi murder," he added.

Sagar-Runi murder must be prosecuted immediately, he demanded.

Pointing towards fascist Sheikh Hasina, the BFUJ President in the rally said that democracy can't be destroyed through conspiracy. "You (Sheikh Hasina) have no ability to pollute the new Bangladesh that has been formed through the student-people movement. So, get out from all conspiracies."

Condemning the fake media reports impersonating journalist leaders, he questioned about it, saying "what kind of journalism is this? Bad journalism will not be tolerated by the journalist community. Lying against people and mischaracterization of journalists is not the job of mass media."

Poet Abdul Hai Shikder said it is that matter of sadness that Sagar-Runi's murder has not been tried even after 12 years. Those involved in this murder must be brought to justice, he added.

Shikder said that 64 journalists have so far been killed in the last 15 years and demanded compensation for the victim's family.

"Scandals and falsehoods are being spread against the journalist leaders who were struggled against the fascism. It must be stopped," he said.

Kader Gani Chowdhury said as the country has freed from the fascism, the present government would hold trial in the journalist couple Sagar-Runi murder case.

"We, on the one hand want laws that will protect the journalists and on the other hand want no journalist become injured going to cover any event of the political party," the BFUJ Secretary General said.

Shahidul Islam said some media are deliberately and assassinating characters and circulating falsehood against the journalists who were fighting against the fascism.

"We will no more tolerate it," he said.

He continued that a three-member DUJ committee will be formed to unearth those involved in the misdeeds, saying, "Action will be taken against them through investigation."

Mursalin Nomani said it has been elapsed 12 years since the journalist couple Sagar-Runi was killed, adding, "It was a matter of regret that the killers have yet been exposed to justice."

He mentioned that it was said that the killers would be arrested within 48 hours immediately after the gruesome murder. "But, the killers are yet to capture although 105,203 hours have already been passed," he said.

Nomani also called upon the government to take the responsibilities of the families of five journalists killed prior to dislodging the autocratic ruler.